OH MY GOSH I can't believe that a week from today I will be home...that's so crazy! I am ready. It's hard to explain to anyone who hasn't been abroad that you can love the place you are in and still be so ready to leave at the same time. I can't wait to see my family and friends, go to Itty Bitty, go to FPC, watch the Titans beat the Steelers with Todd, eat my dad's delicious breakfast....the list goes on!
Until then....ONE week to finish everything I want to do that I either a) haven't done yet or b) want to make sure I do one more time before I leave. Plus, I have 5 finals in there somewhere. Ahh! Time is going to fly!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
The beauties of Montserrat
Since it is a long weekend in Spain (today is a holiday here), and I had no big travels planned, I decided to take a day trip to Montserrat, which is about an hour train ride outside the city. I had heard from other people that had been that it was worth visiting, and I figured "Why not?" So, I set off on Saturday morning to Placa Espanya, where I bought my all-inclusive ticket to Montserrat (includes transportation, lunch, museum entrances, unlimited funicular access, etc).
I arrived at 11:30 at the train station "Montserrat Aeri", which is the platform where you catch the cable car up to the top of the mountain. It's kind of like the tram in Gatlinburg, although smaller and steeper. However, the view was amazing...it was so sunny and clear that I could see for miles. I could even see Mount Tibidabo (highest point in Barcelona) from the top of Montserrat).
Once I got there, I just could not get over how beautiful it was...I went alone, completely content listening to Jars of Clay and talking with God as I gazed over the "glorious spender of His majesty" (Psalm 145:5). When Conchita found out that I didn't go with anyone she seemed shocked. However, I did not feel alone...instead, I felt God's presence all around me in this holy and beautiful place.
The pictures can only do so much, but here you go! MONTSERRAT
Tell me what you think :)
I arrived at 11:30 at the train station "Montserrat Aeri", which is the platform where you catch the cable car up to the top of the mountain. It's kind of like the tram in Gatlinburg, although smaller and steeper. However, the view was amazing...it was so sunny and clear that I could see for miles. I could even see Mount Tibidabo (highest point in Barcelona) from the top of Montserrat).
Once I got there, I just could not get over how beautiful it was...I went alone, completely content listening to Jars of Clay and talking with God as I gazed over the "glorious spender of His majesty" (Psalm 145:5). When Conchita found out that I didn't go with anyone she seemed shocked. However, I did not feel alone...instead, I felt God's presence all around me in this holy and beautiful place.
The pictures can only do so much, but here you go! MONTSERRAT
Tell me what you think :)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Fui a Portugal!
This past weekend was my first trip to a completely new country since I arrived in Spain. It was exciting, and at the same time I kind of had forgotten what it was like to arrive in a completely unfamiliar country with a completely unfamiliar language. Lindsay and I had some interesting encounters trying to speak to people, mostly using our Spanish and hoping they could figure out the main ideas of what we were trying to say.
We arrived in Lisbon around 12:30 on Friday, after flying TAP Airlines (they still give you real food!) from Barcelona. We took the bus into Rossio Square, just minutes away from the Living Lounge Hostel. I have stayed in quite a few hostels in the past 2 years, and this one by far surpasses any other. Not only was it clean, comfortable, and nicely decorated, but everyone there really seemed to enjoy community. It was the ideal hostel atmosphere. We ate breakfast and dinner there twice, every time having some wonderful and entertaining conversations with people from Czech Republic, Germany, the Philippines, Holland, Switzerland, and more. I wanted to stay longer just for the hostel!
Our first day, we wandered aimlessly and got terribly lost in Lisbon. In all honesty, this city wasn't the most amazing or unique European city I have ever seen, but we had fun all the same. Saturday, however, we took a 1.70 euro train ride to a small town about 45 minutes away (Sintra). It was gorgeous...lush and green with beautiful old buildings. We spent most of the day hiking in the woods and just enjoying being away from a busy city. That night, we returned to Lisbon to do a little shopping and hang out at our fabulous hostel.
Sunday, we had breakfast (mmm...yummy rolls and coffee) at the hostel, and then we headed out for the day. We stumbled upon a great market nearby and bought jewelry from the sweetest man who was so patient with us. Then, we started walking to Belem. An hour and a half later, we realized that Belem was further that we thought, so we took the tram the rest of the way. We saw the gorgeous monastery and ate the famous pastels de Belem. Then, we hopped on another train to Cascais to see the Atlantic Ocean! It was too short because we had to head back to Lisbon and catch our flight, but definitely worth the trip.
I am sad to see my last real European travel come to an end...I can't believe how fast things have flown by, and in 2 and a half short weeks, I will be back in Tennessee. I am doing my best to surpress my anxiety, both positive and negative, and enjoy my last 17 days in Spain. See you all soon!
PORTUGAL PICTURES
MORE OF BARCELONA
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
No zapatos en Espana
I was doing a little wandering around the Barcelona streets yesterday, when I went into a shoe store. I hate to shop for shoes, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a very cute pair of black flats that were not too expensive. I marched up to the counter to ask for my size.
"Tiene estes en Cuarenta y dos?"- (Do you have these in size forty-two)
"No, no vende cuarenta y dos en Espana...solo cuarenta y uno" (No, we don't sell size forty-two in Spain, only size 41).
Basically, my feet are too big to buy shoes ANYWHERE in Spain...nothing like something like that to make you feel like a freak! :P So to anyone else with big feet, don't come to Spain to buy cute shoes...they don't exist in our size!
"Tiene estes en Cuarenta y dos?"- (Do you have these in size forty-two)
"No, no vende cuarenta y dos en Espana...solo cuarenta y uno" (No, we don't sell size forty-two in Spain, only size 41).
Basically, my feet are too big to buy shoes ANYWHERE in Spain...nothing like something like that to make you feel like a freak! :P So to anyone else with big feet, don't come to Spain to buy cute shoes...they don't exist in our size!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
randomness
It has been brought to my attention that some people actually check this pretty often, and that I should therefore write more often/more exciting stories! Not sure if that means I should write more exciting stories, meaning more in quantity, or that what I write should be more exciting, in quality...but moving on!
I am writing an academic paper on the effects of blogging on self-identity for one of my classes, which has led me to go back through my old blogging entries, starting with my Xanga blog that I started at the beginning of college. It is amazing to go back and see how much I have changed and grown in four years. That is one thing that has encouraged me to keep writing for so long (regularly since the 6th grade!)...I love to go back and read about the person I used to be, and be glad that I have grown since. Can anyone else relate? With that being said, anyone who has journals/diaries and at some point has the urge to destroy them because they are too embarrasing, too hard to read, etc....DON'T DO IT! You will thank yourself later by being able to learn from your past experiences.
This weekend was pretty uneventful overall. I did have to stand up in front of everyone in church, today, which I was not expecting. I had lunch with the pastors this past week to interview them for a religion paper, and from our conversation Pastor Dan discovered that I hated standing up in talking to people. For some reason, this meant that I was the perfect person to volunteer to come up front during worship service today. Luckily, there were 3 other people up there, and it wasn't for too long, but still, my face was a very lovely shade of pink the entire time (no surprise to those of you who know me)!
I am extremely blessed to have found ICB in Spain, though. So much of the positive experiences and growth I have had here so far are due to this church and this wonderful group of people that have become my family. Wednesday night at home group, we are even going to have a dinner together...complete with a turkey, stuffing, and squash casserole! It will be bittersweet, though, because we're also saying goodbye to Tim, who is moving down to the south of Spain...
That's all for now because it's time to watch the Titans become 11-0!!! (If I can get the game streaming...)
Comments, thoughts, updates are always appreciated!
I am writing an academic paper on the effects of blogging on self-identity for one of my classes, which has led me to go back through my old blogging entries, starting with my Xanga blog that I started at the beginning of college. It is amazing to go back and see how much I have changed and grown in four years. That is one thing that has encouraged me to keep writing for so long (regularly since the 6th grade!)...I love to go back and read about the person I used to be, and be glad that I have grown since. Can anyone else relate? With that being said, anyone who has journals/diaries and at some point has the urge to destroy them because they are too embarrasing, too hard to read, etc....DON'T DO IT! You will thank yourself later by being able to learn from your past experiences.
This weekend was pretty uneventful overall. I did have to stand up in front of everyone in church, today, which I was not expecting. I had lunch with the pastors this past week to interview them for a religion paper, and from our conversation Pastor Dan discovered that I hated standing up in talking to people. For some reason, this meant that I was the perfect person to volunteer to come up front during worship service today. Luckily, there were 3 other people up there, and it wasn't for too long, but still, my face was a very lovely shade of pink the entire time (no surprise to those of you who know me)!
I am extremely blessed to have found ICB in Spain, though. So much of the positive experiences and growth I have had here so far are due to this church and this wonderful group of people that have become my family. Wednesday night at home group, we are even going to have a dinner together...complete with a turkey, stuffing, and squash casserole! It will be bittersweet, though, because we're also saying goodbye to Tim, who is moving down to the south of Spain...
That's all for now because it's time to watch the Titans become 11-0!!! (If I can get the game streaming...)
Comments, thoughts, updates are always appreciated!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Weekend trip!
This weekend from Thursday night to Monday morning, my friend Dannie and I traveled to southern Spain to see Granada and Cordoba. I picked Granada because so many people I know that have traveled to Spain before told me how amazing it was...one even said that it was her favorite city in Spain. Cordoba was only a short 2 hour train ride away and has the 2nd largest mosque (next to Mecca) in the world, so we decided we had to see that, too.
The best way that I can possibly describe these cities is "picturesque". Barcelona is many things, but that quality is not one I would use for it. Granada and Cordoba, however, were the perfect representation of what I expected Spain to be like...the small, quaint Spanish city with amazingly friendly people and delicious. It was breath-takingly beautiful in a way that Barcelona could never be. I am so glad that I was able to experience this side of Spain.
Another characteristic of these small, Spanish towns was how hospitable and friendly everyone was that we came into contact with. We never spoke English to anyone, but for some reason I found it easier to understand Spanish there. Maybe it's the lack of the Catalan influence/tension, or maybe it was just that the people just seemed more willing to talk. Whatever it was, we were truly blessed to meet wonderful people throughout the weekend.
After spending a weekend in gorgeous southern Spain, I am relieved to be able to say that I am still glad I am in Barcelona because there is just so much to do here that I haven't done. In Granada and Cordoba, we felt like we covered most of the things to do there in less than 3 days. It was the perfect place to visit for a weekend. Now, I come back to busy Barcelona...so much left to do, and time is running out!
Pictures of Granada
Pictures of Cordoba
The best way that I can possibly describe these cities is "picturesque". Barcelona is many things, but that quality is not one I would use for it. Granada and Cordoba, however, were the perfect representation of what I expected Spain to be like...the small, quaint Spanish city with amazingly friendly people and delicious. It was breath-takingly beautiful in a way that Barcelona could never be. I am so glad that I was able to experience this side of Spain.
Another characteristic of these small, Spanish towns was how hospitable and friendly everyone was that we came into contact with. We never spoke English to anyone, but for some reason I found it easier to understand Spanish there. Maybe it's the lack of the Catalan influence/tension, or maybe it was just that the people just seemed more willing to talk. Whatever it was, we were truly blessed to meet wonderful people throughout the weekend.
After spending a weekend in gorgeous southern Spain, I am relieved to be able to say that I am still glad I am in Barcelona because there is just so much to do here that I haven't done. In Granada and Cordoba, we felt like we covered most of the things to do there in less than 3 days. It was the perfect place to visit for a weekend. Now, I come back to busy Barcelona...so much left to do, and time is running out!
Pictures of Granada
Pictures of Cordoba
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Estoy en amor...
It's happening again....I'm falling in love...
....with Europe...
For so much of the first month I was in Barcelona, I just wanted to be back in Vienna. After coming here, I was so convinced that the constant high I felt there was specific to that particular place with those particular people in that specific point in time. Maybe that's not the case after all.
Don't get me wrong; there are things about home that I am still looking forward to when I return in 6 weeks (real breakfast, American football, etc). However, the longer I am in Barcelona, the less I remember that list and the more I realize what I am going to miss when I leave. What scares me is that this might really be the last time I am in Europe for a very long time. Who knows, it could even be the last. There's no telling where life will take me.
A month ago, I made a list of all the things I missed from home. Now, I am going to make a list of everything I can already tell I will be sad to leave behind in Spain:
*Being able to walk everywhere!
*The endless number of delicious cafes, and with that, delicious coffee and pastries
*Always having something new to explore
*Public transportation (not paying for gas!)
*Meeting people from all over the world and learning about different cultures
*Speaking Spanish as a part of my daily life
*The wonderful weather here (most of the time)
*Menu del Dias...yum
*Lemon Fanta!!
*Conchita
*ICB and the people there
Possibly more will be added in the future! Hasta luego!
....with Europe...
For so much of the first month I was in Barcelona, I just wanted to be back in Vienna. After coming here, I was so convinced that the constant high I felt there was specific to that particular place with those particular people in that specific point in time. Maybe that's not the case after all.
Don't get me wrong; there are things about home that I am still looking forward to when I return in 6 weeks (real breakfast, American football, etc). However, the longer I am in Barcelona, the less I remember that list and the more I realize what I am going to miss when I leave. What scares me is that this might really be the last time I am in Europe for a very long time. Who knows, it could even be the last. There's no telling where life will take me.
A month ago, I made a list of all the things I missed from home. Now, I am going to make a list of everything I can already tell I will be sad to leave behind in Spain:
*Being able to walk everywhere!
*The endless number of delicious cafes, and with that, delicious coffee and pastries
*Always having something new to explore
*Public transportation (not paying for gas!)
*Meeting people from all over the world and learning about different cultures
*Speaking Spanish as a part of my daily life
*The wonderful weather here (most of the time)
*Menu del Dias...yum
*Lemon Fanta!!
*Conchita
*ICB and the people there
Possibly more will be added in the future! Hasta luego!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Meine Woche in Wien
You know how sometimes you remember something as being so amazing and wonderful, only to go back and be disappointed that it's not really as good as your memories?
Well, Vienna was not one of those cases. I felt like a kid in a candy store the entire time I was there, walking around with a silly grin on my face. The smallest things- from recognizing German words, to sitting on the U-bahn, to browsing the coffee aisles in Zielpunkt and Merkur- made me so overwhelmingly happy. I spent all week visiting my favorite places, usually spending most of my time alone, but yet surrouded by warm memories to keep me company.
Pastor Laura (whom I stayed with and she was so wonderful!) talked my first night there about how some people's native language is different than their heart language. I think the same can be true for places. I think that although my home is Tennessee, Vienna is my heart city...
(Read on if you have any interest in what I did in Vienna, although much of it only will make sense to people who have been there!)
So, here is what I managed to see/do/eat while I was in Vienna for the week:
FRIDAY: Woke up to fresh brewed Julius Meinl coffee prepared by Laura; walked to IES; strolled down Kartner Strasse; had a delicious Dark Chocochino and muffin at Coffee-to-go (Coffee Zum Mitnehmen) and had a kaiserkrainer for lunch; went to Stephansdom and shopped in the Graben; walked all the way down Mariahilferstrasse; went to ClubSchiffe, which is a club on a boat on the Danube
SATURDAY: Naschmarkt in the morning, where I bought some pumpkin seeds from Styria; I visited the Prater and took pictures of rides I had been on the first time I was in Vienna 8 years ago; I ate my favorite dessert EVER in the Palmenhaus; went to the opera to see Barber of Seville, which was fantastic; went and had a drink with 2 Americans and 2 Polish students I met at the opera
SUNDAY: Went to church at ESUMC :), went out to lunch with Selena, Christian, and their kids, along with some other church members; wandered around Stadtpark in the afternoon; had dinner over at Missy's apartment that night
MONDAY: Revisted my old stomping grounds of the Meiselmarkt, Johnstrasse, and then finally Selzergasse 12; I actually followed someone into the apartment building and wandered up to where we used to live, only to have a guy ask me if I needed help...he was kind of attractive, and actually looked like he could have been Frau Sardar's son...; visited Schonbrunn gardens with the gorgeous fall colors; met Eleonore (the teacher I worked with in Vienna) at Cafe Diglas for cake and coffee; walked around for a long time
TUESDAY: Cafe Dommayer, as suggested by Missy and Kai, which was delicious; went to the chocolate museum for lots of free samples :); went to Merkur; wandered around some more; met Laura for dinner and had a great Viennese meal~ Weiner Schnitzel, potatoes, and sturm!
Some observations of things that have changed:
*The U2 is now twice as long! I was really freaked out by this...
*An opera is now 3 euros for standing room, instead of 2 (Esther, be glad we studied there last year!)
*Plus is no more :( It has been replaced by Zielpunkt
*Kauf & Spar has been totally rearranged...I only know this because I frequented the grocery stores/cheap discount stores way too often in my 4 months there
*Frau Sardar's name has been removed from Selzergasse 12
*The Westbahnhof is under MAJOR reconstruction...Katy, I was going to take a picture of the escalator for you, and you can't even go in right now....sehr traurig!
PICTURES OF VIENNA
Click the link for pictures....for my roommates, I will be sending you a few videos soon ;)
Well, Vienna was not one of those cases. I felt like a kid in a candy store the entire time I was there, walking around with a silly grin on my face. The smallest things- from recognizing German words, to sitting on the U-bahn, to browsing the coffee aisles in Zielpunkt and Merkur- made me so overwhelmingly happy. I spent all week visiting my favorite places, usually spending most of my time alone, but yet surrouded by warm memories to keep me company.
Pastor Laura (whom I stayed with and she was so wonderful!) talked my first night there about how some people's native language is different than their heart language. I think the same can be true for places. I think that although my home is Tennessee, Vienna is my heart city...
(Read on if you have any interest in what I did in Vienna, although much of it only will make sense to people who have been there!)
So, here is what I managed to see/do/eat while I was in Vienna for the week:
FRIDAY: Woke up to fresh brewed Julius Meinl coffee prepared by Laura; walked to IES; strolled down Kartner Strasse; had a delicious Dark Chocochino and muffin at Coffee-to-go (Coffee Zum Mitnehmen) and had a kaiserkrainer for lunch; went to Stephansdom and shopped in the Graben; walked all the way down Mariahilferstrasse; went to ClubSchiffe, which is a club on a boat on the Danube
SATURDAY: Naschmarkt in the morning, where I bought some pumpkin seeds from Styria; I visited the Prater and took pictures of rides I had been on the first time I was in Vienna 8 years ago; I ate my favorite dessert EVER in the Palmenhaus; went to the opera to see Barber of Seville, which was fantastic; went and had a drink with 2 Americans and 2 Polish students I met at the opera
SUNDAY: Went to church at ESUMC :), went out to lunch with Selena, Christian, and their kids, along with some other church members; wandered around Stadtpark in the afternoon; had dinner over at Missy's apartment that night
MONDAY: Revisted my old stomping grounds of the Meiselmarkt, Johnstrasse, and then finally Selzergasse 12; I actually followed someone into the apartment building and wandered up to where we used to live, only to have a guy ask me if I needed help...he was kind of attractive, and actually looked like he could have been Frau Sardar's son...; visited Schonbrunn gardens with the gorgeous fall colors; met Eleonore (the teacher I worked with in Vienna) at Cafe Diglas for cake and coffee; walked around for a long time
TUESDAY: Cafe Dommayer, as suggested by Missy and Kai, which was delicious; went to the chocolate museum for lots of free samples :); went to Merkur; wandered around some more; met Laura for dinner and had a great Viennese meal~ Weiner Schnitzel, potatoes, and sturm!
Some observations of things that have changed:
*The U2 is now twice as long! I was really freaked out by this...
*An opera is now 3 euros for standing room, instead of 2 (Esther, be glad we studied there last year!)
*Plus is no more :( It has been replaced by Zielpunkt
*Kauf & Spar has been totally rearranged...I only know this because I frequented the grocery stores/cheap discount stores way too often in my 4 months there
*Frau Sardar's name has been removed from Selzergasse 12
*The Westbahnhof is under MAJOR reconstruction...Katy, I was going to take a picture of the escalator for you, and you can't even go in right now....sehr traurig!
PICTURES OF VIENNA
Click the link for pictures....for my roommates, I will be sending you a few videos soon ;)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
"When will you realize, Vienna waits for you"
In less than 48 hours I will be in the wonderful land of pastries, classical music, schnitzel, Deutsch, and of course, the best coffee in the world :) As requested by the lovely Katy Cordle, I want to write as much as I can about the experience, and so it starts now.
So much has changed in the past 2 months. When I booked my flight to Vienna, it seemed like the one thing I had to look forward to in the near future. Now I am adjusted to Barcelona; I am starting to remember less the things I miss so much about home and instead realize all of the wonderful things that I will be leaving behind come December. Even still, I am so excited to get on that plane to Austria and revisit the city that still has a piece of my heart.
Leaving Vienna last December was one of the hardest transitions I had to make. As strange as it sounds, I was so homesick for the place I only lived in for four months. I can't wait to go back and be able to fully take it all in. I know that it will be much different; I am a different person, and the circumstances are definitely not the same. Part of what I loved about my semester in Vienna were the people I shared it with. It will be strange to go back to a place that is missing such an essential piece of what I think about when my mind drifts back to those 4 months. Even still, I know it will be a fabulous week!
So look for posts of randomness...I plan to spend a lot of time just wandering around back to the places where I went everyday and took for granted. Expect pictures of Selzergasse 12, Johnstrasse Ubahn, and maybe even a little video of the famous Karlsplatz metro station announcement :) Until then, auf Wiedersehen!
So much has changed in the past 2 months. When I booked my flight to Vienna, it seemed like the one thing I had to look forward to in the near future. Now I am adjusted to Barcelona; I am starting to remember less the things I miss so much about home and instead realize all of the wonderful things that I will be leaving behind come December. Even still, I am so excited to get on that plane to Austria and revisit the city that still has a piece of my heart.
Leaving Vienna last December was one of the hardest transitions I had to make. As strange as it sounds, I was so homesick for the place I only lived in for four months. I can't wait to go back and be able to fully take it all in. I know that it will be much different; I am a different person, and the circumstances are definitely not the same. Part of what I loved about my semester in Vienna were the people I shared it with. It will be strange to go back to a place that is missing such an essential piece of what I think about when my mind drifts back to those 4 months. Even still, I know it will be a fabulous week!
So look for posts of randomness...I plan to spend a lot of time just wandering around back to the places where I went everyday and took for granted. Expect pictures of Selzergasse 12, Johnstrasse Ubahn, and maybe even a little video of the famous Karlsplatz metro station announcement :) Until then, auf Wiedersehen!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Conchita
I realize more and more each day how lucky I am to have such a wonderful senora. I knew from the minute she opened her door to me with open arms and kisses on the cheek (typical Spanish greeting), that she would be a blessing in my life.
Conchita is a mother, and that totally reflects on how she treats me. She is always making sure I eat enough "Quieres mas? Un pocito, un pocito!" (Do you want more? Just a little, just a little!). When we were homesick the first week, she made us tea and talked to us for 2 hours about how 4 months was short, and that we were so lucky to be able to come to Europe. The first weekend that I was away for orientation, she packed Lexi and I little bags with apples and juice to take with us, and sent us text messages the first night that read "Buenas noches, besos" (Good night, kisses).
The IES guidebook mentioned that some families treat students like tennants and not like family. I was a little nervous about going to live with someone I didn't know at all and who didn't speak my language. However, she has been more than hospitable to me in every way. From talking to other people about their homestays, I can tell that I am extremely fortunate.
I know that when I leave here, I will be sad to leave her because she has become my family while I am away. As difficult as living apart from other students and speaking only Spanish has been, it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of the semester. God answered my prayers that I started saying way before I left Spain!
Monday, October 13, 2008
A little insight on how weird I am
I'll admit it...I can't help it...I'm somewhat of a control freak and I love having a routine. I like being able to cook for myself because not only do I get enjoyment out of the process, but it means that I can eat what I want whenever I want. I actually enjoy cleaning/organizing because it makes me feel productive and in control of my environment. Doing dishes, laundry, general cleaning etc. is part of my normal routine at home that I don't mind at all (and if I really want to be a nerd, I can say that I kind of like it sometimes). In Barcelona, I feel so obsessive about food because I never know when I am going to get to eat next or what exactly it will be. I also feel so helpless here because I don't do any household chores. When I am bored or procrastinating, I don't have the option of organizing the space around me because my senora cleans, does my laundry, etc. and we have someone clean our apartment once a week. I know...such a rough life....
I crave variety but find comfort in consistency. It's an interesting paradox. I don't have very many things that are consistent here, which is unsettling. I don't have a set "group" of friends, so I find myself floating back and forth a lot. I am torn between trying new cafes, stores, restaurants, etc. and finding a select few favorites that I can visit routinely. Maybe I just don't know what I want...
I crave variety but find comfort in consistency. It's an interesting paradox. I don't have very many things that are consistent here, which is unsettling. I don't have a set "group" of friends, so I find myself floating back and forth a lot. I am torn between trying new cafes, stores, restaurants, etc. and finding a select few favorites that I can visit routinely. Maybe I just don't know what I want...
Monday, October 6, 2008
Pictures from Costa Brava & Barcelona
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2116518&l=adbc2&id=18307155
Here you go...the link to my weekend in Costa Brava! I am really glad I chose this IES trip because it isn't one I could have done on my own. We went to such small towns that are definitely off the tourist radar. Also, you can't travel to most of these places by train or plane because they aren't big enough. We spent a lot of time in the bus, but then we got to see the amazing Pyrenes mountains. It was a very busy three days, but I saw so much! I also learned more about the idea of borders, frontier, and exile in Catalunya.
Also, this is the 2nd Barcelona album, which will be updated as time goes along!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2115623&l=2a039&id=18307155
Here you go...the link to my weekend in Costa Brava! I am really glad I chose this IES trip because it isn't one I could have done on my own. We went to such small towns that are definitely off the tourist radar. Also, you can't travel to most of these places by train or plane because they aren't big enough. We spent a lot of time in the bus, but then we got to see the amazing Pyrenes mountains. It was a very busy three days, but I saw so much! I also learned more about the idea of borders, frontier, and exile in Catalunya.
Also, this is the 2nd Barcelona album, which will be updated as time goes along!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2115623&l=2a039&id=18307155
Limbo
It's such a strange feeling to be so caught in between emotions. On the one hand, I can finally say that I am glad to be in Barcelona. No, it's not the constant high that I experienced while I was in Vienna, but I am enjoying my time here and feeling like I am learning a lot. But on the other hand, I am still counting down the days until December 19th rolls around (74 days, in case you were wondering).
My time in Barcelona is actually only 110 days, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I have now been here for 36 days, so one-third of my semester abroad has already passed. When I think about it that way, it seems like time is just flashing before my eyes. Then, I think that I still have 2 1/2 months left here, and I feel like December will never come. This dilemma puts my emotions on such a roller coaster just within the day. For a person who craves balance and stability in her life, this phenomenon is pretty foreign to me. Living in limbo is difficult...
(Update on my weekend in Costa Brava, including pictures, coming later today!)
My time in Barcelona is actually only 110 days, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I have now been here for 36 days, so one-third of my semester abroad has already passed. When I think about it that way, it seems like time is just flashing before my eyes. Then, I think that I still have 2 1/2 months left here, and I feel like December will never come. This dilemma puts my emotions on such a roller coaster just within the day. For a person who craves balance and stability in her life, this phenomenon is pretty foreign to me. Living in limbo is difficult...
(Update on my weekend in Costa Brava, including pictures, coming later today!)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tears of joy
This evening I walked around by myself for over an hour, just listening to my music and seeing more of the city. The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, and I stumbled upon some of the most gorgeous architecture I have seen yet (within walking distance from my apartment).
I cried.
I cried tears of happiness...tears of feeling so full that something just had to be released, or I felt like I would burst.
God is so good. This morning I sat in a little cafe reading my Bible before church. I was at church from 11:30 to 1:30 and then the 20s and 30s group traveled to Les Planes (the pastors' house) for a BBQ and fellowship time. The house is GORGEOUS...built about 100 years ago out in the countryside of Barcelona. There were about 40 people there and everyone was so nice and so easy to talk to. We had burgers, chips, and cake! I laughed and felt like myself for the first time in awhile. I didn't leave until after 5:00pm.
God has bought me here to Barcelona to change me and mold me into who he wants me to be. God is teaching me how to be more confident with who I am and how to live out a life of faith even when everything seems uncomfortable and unfamiliar. And thankfully, God has led me to a church that reminds me that I am not alone. Worship and fellowship are two things that I simply cannot live without and expect to be happy. God knows what I need and God provides :) Each and every day is full of more blessings than I have allowed myself to notice lately. Now I feel like I am ready to be completely open and let everything just rush in...
I cried.
I cried tears of happiness...tears of feeling so full that something just had to be released, or I felt like I would burst.
God is so good. This morning I sat in a little cafe reading my Bible before church. I was at church from 11:30 to 1:30 and then the 20s and 30s group traveled to Les Planes (the pastors' house) for a BBQ and fellowship time. The house is GORGEOUS...built about 100 years ago out in the countryside of Barcelona. There were about 40 people there and everyone was so nice and so easy to talk to. We had burgers, chips, and cake! I laughed and felt like myself for the first time in awhile. I didn't leave until after 5:00pm.
God has bought me here to Barcelona to change me and mold me into who he wants me to be. God is teaching me how to be more confident with who I am and how to live out a life of faith even when everything seems uncomfortable and unfamiliar. And thankfully, God has led me to a church that reminds me that I am not alone. Worship and fellowship are two things that I simply cannot live without and expect to be happy. God knows what I need and God provides :) Each and every day is full of more blessings than I have allowed myself to notice lately. Now I feel like I am ready to be completely open and let everything just rush in...
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Life is good in Barcelona
Hola! Yesterday was La Merce, a huge holiday in Catalonia, particularly in Barcelona. Yesterday was also the best day I have spent here by far. It was the first day that I went to bed thinking 'I am so glad I am in Spain rather than anywhere else right now.' Definitely a nice feeling :)
The festivities actually began about a week ago. Since La Merce was on a Wednesday this year, they just devoted an entire week to partying (as is the Spanish way). Last week Aubrey and I went down to Portal de la Pau near the harbor
and saw part of the Gigantes parade. It's hard to describe, but basically it's a these giant 8-10 foot statues of figures that parade down the street. At first we just thought that they were stationery, but people are inside them and make the walk and dance. There was also lots of random music and stuff to accompany them. Then, that night, I went with some people from ICB (International Church of Barcelona) to see some other festivities. We went to see the Correfoc, which is by far the strangest thing I have ever experienced. Thousands of people were crowded in this square, and there is a parade of figures spewing fireworks while people cover up their bodies and run through it...there is NO way we could get away with this in the United States. It was quite an experience, even with my slight phobia of fire! Afterward, we walked down to the beach and watched fireworks there. I had never watched fireworks on the beach, so it was a new experience for me.
Then yesterday was another day full of festival activities. I met Aubrey, Krisi, and Brett near Place Jaume I to see the Castellers. Check the link below for more pictures, but basically, these people build huge human towers in the middle of a massive crowd. It was ridiculous, and also another totally unique experience. Make sure to see the pictures and video!
The four of us went to Montjuic and walked around after that, where we went to the MNAC museum (Art museum) for a few minutes and then to the Botanic Gardens for free since it was a holiday. That night, I met up with the ICB group for the finale of La Merce. In Placa de Espanya (near Montjuic), they had a performance called "Pyromusical". It was a massive music, firework, fountain light light show. I have seen a lot of fireworks in my lifetime, but this was honestly the best I have ever seen (sorry Disney, you can't even compete!). The fireworks were synched with the music and the fountain lights, and it lasted a full 45 minutes. Afterward, everyone had sparklers and the entire crowd of THOUSANDS of people all lit them at once. This was the true Barcelona experience...this was a day that I will never forget.
LA MERCE PICTURES- click here!
The festivities actually began about a week ago. Since La Merce was on a Wednesday this year, they just devoted an entire week to partying (as is the Spanish way). Last week Aubrey and I went down to Portal de la Pau near the harbor
and saw part of the Gigantes parade. It's hard to describe, but basically it's a these giant 8-10 foot statues of figures that parade down the street. At first we just thought that they were stationery, but people are inside them and make the walk and dance. There was also lots of random music and stuff to accompany them. Then, that night, I went with some people from ICB (International Church of Barcelona) to see some other festivities. We went to see the Correfoc, which is by far the strangest thing I have ever experienced. Thousands of people were crowded in this square, and there is a parade of figures spewing fireworks while people cover up their bodies and run through it...there is NO way we could get away with this in the United States. It was quite an experience, even with my slight phobia of fire! Afterward, we walked down to the beach and watched fireworks there. I had never watched fireworks on the beach, so it was a new experience for me.Then yesterday was another day full of festival activities. I met Aubrey, Krisi, and Brett near Place Jaume I to see the Castellers. Check the link below for more pictures, but basically, these people build huge human towers in the middle of a massive crowd. It was ridiculous, and also another totally unique experience. Make sure to see the pictures and video!
The four of us went to Montjuic and walked around after that, where we went to the MNAC museum (Art museum) for a few minutes and then to the Botanic Gardens for free since it was a holiday. That night, I met up with the ICB group for the finale of La Merce. In Placa de Espanya (near Montjuic), they had a performance called "Pyromusical". It was a massive music, firework, fountain light light show. I have seen a lot of fireworks in my lifetime, but this was honestly the best I have ever seen (sorry Disney, you can't even compete!). The fireworks were synched with the music and the fountain lights, and it lasted a full 45 minutes. Afterward, everyone had sparklers and the entire crowd of THOUSANDS of people all lit them at once. This was the true Barcelona experience...this was a day that I will never forget.
LA MERCE PICTURES- click here!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Estoy solo mucho
"The self-focused quality of emerging adulthood makes it arguably the freest time of life, at least in terms of freedom from social obligations and expectations. However, the flip side of this freedom is that emerging adults spend a considerable amount of time alone during these self-focused years. According to time-use studies across the life span, emerging adults aged 19 to 29 spend more of their leisure time alone than any other persons, except the elderly, and more of their time in productive activities alone than any other age group under 40." (Emerging Adulthood: Understanding the New Way of Coming of Age, by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett).
This passage struck me because it seems particularly relevant to my time in Barcelona so far. I have found myself with an abundance of time on my hands, and often no one but myself is around to spend it with. I have been very surprised by how strange and unsettling this seems. Anyone who knows me, best friends and acquaintances alike, would almost definitely classify me as an introvert when given the option between that an extrovert. I have always needed time to myself and have always been good at entertaining myself. I enjoy my quiet morning routine of a good cup of coffee and Good Morning America; I can spend hours going for walks and runs alone; and some days there is nothing better than spending an afternoon in a coffee shop with a book to keep me company. I know how to be alone.
Yet being in Barcelona has made me realize even more (I have started noticing this in the past year or so) that I am much more extroverted than most would think. Meyers-Briggs (Ann, if you're reading this I know you are rolling your eyes right now!) defines extroversion-introversion by how you get your energy, from within or outside yourself. The past couple of years, I find myself more and more drawn to others' company. Not necessarily a big group or a loud place, but the human desire for connection and relationship. I need to be around people a good amount in order to feel satisfied.
I have been blessed to have always been surrounded by so many wonderful people in my life, and so right now I am feeling that void more than ever. It's not to say that I don't spend a fair share of time with people here, because that's not true. But I don't have the comfort of someone I can count on to be there all the time, someone who understands me and who can be there during the daily activities of life for companionship. It's a very different experience for sure...
This passage struck me because it seems particularly relevant to my time in Barcelona so far. I have found myself with an abundance of time on my hands, and often no one but myself is around to spend it with. I have been very surprised by how strange and unsettling this seems. Anyone who knows me, best friends and acquaintances alike, would almost definitely classify me as an introvert when given the option between that an extrovert. I have always needed time to myself and have always been good at entertaining myself. I enjoy my quiet morning routine of a good cup of coffee and Good Morning America; I can spend hours going for walks and runs alone; and some days there is nothing better than spending an afternoon in a coffee shop with a book to keep me company. I know how to be alone.
Yet being in Barcelona has made me realize even more (I have started noticing this in the past year or so) that I am much more extroverted than most would think. Meyers-Briggs (Ann, if you're reading this I know you are rolling your eyes right now!) defines extroversion-introversion by how you get your energy, from within or outside yourself. The past couple of years, I find myself more and more drawn to others' company. Not necessarily a big group or a loud place, but the human desire for connection and relationship. I need to be around people a good amount in order to feel satisfied.
I have been blessed to have always been surrounded by so many wonderful people in my life, and so right now I am feeling that void more than ever. It's not to say that I don't spend a fair share of time with people here, because that's not true. But I don't have the comfort of someone I can count on to be there all the time, someone who understands me and who can be there during the daily activities of life for companionship. It's a very different experience for sure...
Saturday, September 20, 2008
NEW ADDRESS
Hey! So for anyone who might want to send me mail in the future, here is my apartment address. Apparently, IES does not want packages sent to them, so anything other than standard envelopes need to be mailed here...
Leslie Lang
Passeig Sant Joan 176, 1º2ª
08037 Barcelona
SPAIN
(Yes for the address, it's a number 1 with a degree symbol and then a number 2 with an "a" subscript)
It's been a good weekend so far. I will update soon!
Leslie Lang
Passeig Sant Joan 176, 1º2ª
08037 Barcelona
SPAIN
(Yes for the address, it's a number 1 with a degree symbol and then a number 2 with an "a" subscript)
It's been a good weekend so far. I will update soon!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Life continues
Hola! By the way, thanks to everyone who is actually reading my blog! Comments are also VERY appreciated!
My first week of classes started today, and I am such a nerd for being sooo ready to begin. It's been nice having a schedule and a routine. The 9:00am classes Monday-Thursday are rough because I've never had class earlier than 9:30 the entire time I've been in college. Plus, the lifestyle here makes me stay up later because we don't even eat dinner until like 9:00 or 9:30. I guess they invented siestas for a reason!
Looking at my calendar, I have exactly 3 months left in Spain. That seems like both a very long and very short time. My 3 months are split up pretty evenly though:
October 3-5 (two weeks from today)~ I signed up to go on the IES trip to Costa Brava.
October 23-29 (3 weeks later)~ VIENNA :-D
November 14-16 (2 weeks after that)~ Possible trip to Granada, Spain with Dannie. We haven't booked anything yet, but we definitely want to go.
December 19 (a month later)~ Fly home. Exams and such also happen that week before.
My Spanish seems to be getting better little by little...we are watching a movie in my Spanish class called "El otro lado de la cama" (The Other Side of the Bed) which is quite hilarious. I would recommend watching it!
I went to a Flamenco show last night, which was really awesome. It's a dance that's very popular in southern Spain, so it was a unique opportunity to see it here. This weekend is also a big fiestival for the patron saint, so there should be lots of activities going on around the city. I'll give you an update soon!
My first week of classes started today, and I am such a nerd for being sooo ready to begin. It's been nice having a schedule and a routine. The 9:00am classes Monday-Thursday are rough because I've never had class earlier than 9:30 the entire time I've been in college. Plus, the lifestyle here makes me stay up later because we don't even eat dinner until like 9:00 or 9:30. I guess they invented siestas for a reason!
Looking at my calendar, I have exactly 3 months left in Spain. That seems like both a very long and very short time. My 3 months are split up pretty evenly though:
October 3-5 (two weeks from today)~ I signed up to go on the IES trip to Costa Brava.
October 23-29 (3 weeks later)~ VIENNA :-D
November 14-16 (2 weeks after that)~ Possible trip to Granada, Spain with Dannie. We haven't booked anything yet, but we definitely want to go.
December 19 (a month later)~ Fly home. Exams and such also happen that week before.
My Spanish seems to be getting better little by little...we are watching a movie in my Spanish class called "El otro lado de la cama" (The Other Side of the Bed) which is quite hilarious. I would recommend watching it!
I went to a Flamenco show last night, which was really awesome. It's a dance that's very popular in southern Spain, so it was a unique opportunity to see it here. This weekend is also a big fiestival for the patron saint, so there should be lots of activities going on around the city. I'll give you an update soon!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Barcelona pictures- take 1
Here are the link to my pictures! Please check them out and make comments!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2114152&l=d99a0&id=18307155
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2114152&l=d99a0&id=18307155
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The weekend...well, part of it
It already feels like my weekend should be over even though it just began. Thursday in Barcelona, September 11th, is a holiday called "La Diada." Basically, they celebrate the day that they were defeated by the French army. It's a little weird, but also very nationalistic. Many people in Calalunia, the region where Barcelona is, want to break off from the rest of Spain and be their own country. So, on La Diada, there were a lot of people with their Catalunian flags and talking only in Catalan.
I went with Dannie, Aubrey, and Chrissy. I am really glad that I met Aubrey because even though she's not with IES, she lives really close to me and so we've hung out quite a bit in the past few days. Her senora, Pilar, and Conchita are good friends, which is how we met.
I went out with Chrissy and Aubrey to Placa del Sol on Thursday night to check it out, but it started raining so we didn't stay too long. Friday I went on a walking tour of Montjuic, one of the famous parks here, and then hung out with some girls I met from that. I met Aubrey for coffee and then went to Danielle's for dinner. Her dinner was DELICIOUS and it was nice to get out of the apartment for a meal, too. Afterward, though, they dragged me with them to this bar called Chupitos, and it was so crowded and loud that I didn't stay for long. It took me over an hour to walk/find the night bus home by myself, though, which was definitely not fun. THIS is why I don't go out that much! I just want to be able to sit and chill with people in a place where I can actually hear people talk...
Things are getting better, little by little. I am so ready for classes to start on Monday. I feel so restless right now. I felt like that back at TCU last Spring, and I thought that going abroad would get rid of that feeling, but right now, I still feel like I am just waiting for something to happen...
OH- And I booked a flight to Vienna the other day!!!! :-D From October 23-29, I will be visiting lovely Vienna, and I can't wait! I am going to stay with Pastor Laura from ESUMC. I am so excited to just wander around and see/do all my favorite things, and eat at my favorite pastry shops and cafes! Something to look forward to!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A Happy List
Things in Barcelona are still REALLY tough right now, but I have decided to at least find one good thing every day that I can appreciate it. Thus...the happy list! I will edit/add on as I feel necessary...
Monday 9/8- Had a European chocolate croissant :) Not the best one I've ever had, but still delicious
Tuesday 9/9- Got to shop at H&M and bought a really cute bag. For those of you who know the amazingness that is H&M, be jealous!
Wednesday 9/10- Had coffee with Melanie and had a great 2 hour long conversation, met Aubrey (another study abroad student from another program) who came over for dinner. We had pizza and beer!
Thursday 9/11- Saw the La Diada festival, a Catalunian festival in Barcelona. Too bad it was all in Catalan and I didn't really know what was going on
Friday 9/12- Met some cool girls today and then also had a delicious dinner at Danielle's apartment.
Saturday 9/13- Went to a Spanish poetry reading, which was pretty unique, and got to hang out with Melanie
Sunday 9/14- Church :) It had been 3 weeks and I was missing it terribly
Monday 9/15- A busy day and classes started...I finally have a routine!
Tuesday 9/16- I went to the beach with Lindsey, and it was so relaxing!
Other than that, I have talked to so many people that have been nothing but loving and supportive right now. My parents are amazing and I thank them so much for always wanting what is best for me. My friends from home, school, Vienna, etc. have also been wonderful by making me feel better and not so alone in how I am feeling. I also have been spending a lot of time just reading through the Psalms and gaining strength knowing that God has led me here for a reason. It might be a super challenging, difficult, and lonely time right now, but God is with me here. I know God has so much to teach me, and maybe being alone right now will help me to hear God's voice.
Off to mi clase de espanol....God help me!
Monday 9/8- Had a European chocolate croissant :) Not the best one I've ever had, but still delicious
Tuesday 9/9- Got to shop at H&M and bought a really cute bag. For those of you who know the amazingness that is H&M, be jealous!
Wednesday 9/10- Had coffee with Melanie and had a great 2 hour long conversation, met Aubrey (another study abroad student from another program) who came over for dinner. We had pizza and beer!
Thursday 9/11- Saw the La Diada festival, a Catalunian festival in Barcelona. Too bad it was all in Catalan and I didn't really know what was going on
Friday 9/12- Met some cool girls today and then also had a delicious dinner at Danielle's apartment.
Saturday 9/13- Went to a Spanish poetry reading, which was pretty unique, and got to hang out with Melanie
Sunday 9/14- Church :) It had been 3 weeks and I was missing it terribly
Monday 9/15- A busy day and classes started...I finally have a routine!
Tuesday 9/16- I went to the beach with Lindsey, and it was so relaxing!
Other than that, I have talked to so many people that have been nothing but loving and supportive right now. My parents are amazing and I thank them so much for always wanting what is best for me. My friends from home, school, Vienna, etc. have also been wonderful by making me feel better and not so alone in how I am feeling. I also have been spending a lot of time just reading through the Psalms and gaining strength knowing that God has led me here for a reason. It might be a super challenging, difficult, and lonely time right now, but God is with me here. I know God has so much to teach me, and maybe being alone right now will help me to hear God's voice.
Off to mi clase de espanol....God help me!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A new day...
My dad sent me an email today that only said "No blog update since the 1st?!" So, if people actually read this thing, here's an update!
The past couple days have been really difficult to get adjusted. This program is about 3 times at big as Vienna, and so I feel very lost right now. There are at least 70 students here from Santa Clara and a ton from Wake Forest, too, so I feel like so many people already know a ton of people here and only want to hang out with people from their own school. Also, so many people just seem to be in Barcelona to party every night. That's not me...I am starting to worry that maybe this isn't the right place for me...
Lexi, my roommate, got really homesick yesterday, and hearing her talk made my feelings surface. It doesn't seem to matter that I have already done this once...it all seems so different and I just feel very alone and lost right now. Our wonderful Senora, however, spent about 2 hours talking to Lexi and I last night to make us feel better. I just hope that things get better.
Today was interesting. I went to my first Spanish class today, and I feel WAY overwhelmed. I don't think I'm in the right level at all. I could only understand about 50% of what the professor was saying, and I don't feel comfortable with that. I talked to him afterward, and he said to wait a few more days and see how it goes. Then, I can switch if I still feel uncomfortable.
After I left IES, I didn't have any plans and didn't really want to go home yet, so I just wandered around the city. This guy from a restaurant beckoned me over and started talking to me. He told me to come in and sit down, and then he proceeded to bring me a cafe con leche, some nuts, and a glass of water. He's from Barcelona, but he spoke to me in English and knows like 8 languages. His name is Ben. Then after that, he asked me if I wanted to run some errands around the city with him. Normally, I would have been really weary of this, but he seems like a very genuine guy. We wandered around for a little bit, and then I headed home around 7:30. He gave me his phone number and told me to come back to the restaurant soon and bring my friends. For some reason, this experience made me feel a lot better. I wouldn't exactly call him a friend yet or anything, but it was someone to talk to and to experience the city with. Plus, I was going outside the "American bubble" and meeting local people. That's all for now. We leave for orientation in Valencia tomorrow, which I am hoping will make some of these worries and anxieties go away. It's still all in Spanish though (ahhh!), but at least it will be a time to make some friends. I'll write when I get back!
The past couple days have been really difficult to get adjusted. This program is about 3 times at big as Vienna, and so I feel very lost right now. There are at least 70 students here from Santa Clara and a ton from Wake Forest, too, so I feel like so many people already know a ton of people here and only want to hang out with people from their own school. Also, so many people just seem to be in Barcelona to party every night. That's not me...I am starting to worry that maybe this isn't the right place for me...
Lexi, my roommate, got really homesick yesterday, and hearing her talk made my feelings surface. It doesn't seem to matter that I have already done this once...it all seems so different and I just feel very alone and lost right now. Our wonderful Senora, however, spent about 2 hours talking to Lexi and I last night to make us feel better. I just hope that things get better.
Today was interesting. I went to my first Spanish class today, and I feel WAY overwhelmed. I don't think I'm in the right level at all. I could only understand about 50% of what the professor was saying, and I don't feel comfortable with that. I talked to him afterward, and he said to wait a few more days and see how it goes. Then, I can switch if I still feel uncomfortable.
After I left IES, I didn't have any plans and didn't really want to go home yet, so I just wandered around the city. This guy from a restaurant beckoned me over and started talking to me. He told me to come in and sit down, and then he proceeded to bring me a cafe con leche, some nuts, and a glass of water. He's from Barcelona, but he spoke to me in English and knows like 8 languages. His name is Ben. Then after that, he asked me if I wanted to run some errands around the city with him. Normally, I would have been really weary of this, but he seems like a very genuine guy. We wandered around for a little bit, and then I headed home around 7:30. He gave me his phone number and told me to come back to the restaurant soon and bring my friends. For some reason, this experience made me feel a lot better. I wouldn't exactly call him a friend yet or anything, but it was someone to talk to and to experience the city with. Plus, I was going outside the "American bubble" and meeting local people. That's all for now. We leave for orientation in Valencia tomorrow, which I am hoping will make some of these worries and anxieties go away. It's still all in Spanish though (ahhh!), but at least it will be a time to make some friends. I'll write when I get back!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Mi primer dia
Hola! I am now writing this from my first day in Barcelona. I am at my new home for the next four months. Lexi, my roommate, doesn't get here until tomorrow, so it is very strange to be here in my apartment with just me, especially after having 5 other roommates in Vienna. BUT...one thing I am going to try very hard to do while in Barcelona is not compare it too much to Vienna. I know that everyone is going to ask me when I get back about which one was better, and I hope I can honestly say that they were both amazing, but too different to even compare. I want to make this a fresh start, a new adventure.
After meeting with the IES staff this morning at the airport, I got into a cab where he literally just dropped me off on the curb with all of my luggage and a name of my senora. It was incredibly nerve-racking! Conchita Mata, my senora, met me with open arms, however. She showed me to mine and Lexi's room...which is definitely small, but at least there's plenty of closet space. The only thing that really concerns me is that there is one small table that is supposed to serve as a desk for both of us. I talked to my senora for awhile in my broken Spanish. She doesn't know hardly any English, so my Spanish skills better improve! I unpacked, took a short nap, and now I am not exactly sure what the rest of the day will have in store. I will update soon, though...hasta luego!
After meeting with the IES staff this morning at the airport, I got into a cab where he literally just dropped me off on the curb with all of my luggage and a name of my senora. It was incredibly nerve-racking! Conchita Mata, my senora, met me with open arms, however. She showed me to mine and Lexi's room...which is definitely small, but at least there's plenty of closet space. The only thing that really concerns me is that there is one small table that is supposed to serve as a desk for both of us. I talked to my senora for awhile in my broken Spanish. She doesn't know hardly any English, so my Spanish skills better improve! I unpacked, took a short nap, and now I am not exactly sure what the rest of the day will have in store. I will update soon, though...hasta luego!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Less than 2 weeks
Hey everyone! So, I decided that I would start a blog for my semester in Spain. I read a few people's blogs this summer while they were off doing cool things, so I thought that this would be a good way to keep everyone updated on what was going on with me.
I still don't feel like I am leaving in about 10 days. I have made a packing list, most of the things I had to do before I go have been taken care of, but it just hasn't completely sunk in that I am leaving the country...AGAIN. What in the world am I doing to myself?! :)
Anyways, please post lots of comments so I can hear how you are doing back in the states, too!
I still don't feel like I am leaving in about 10 days. I have made a packing list, most of the things I had to do before I go have been taken care of, but it just hasn't completely sunk in that I am leaving the country...AGAIN. What in the world am I doing to myself?! :)
Anyways, please post lots of comments so I can hear how you are doing back in the states, too!
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