Sorry

Sorry...my computer is not working at home. That is why I have been so unfaithful with my blog. Right now, I am sitting in a locutoria (like an internet cafe) using the computer. Also...this prevents me from adding pics. So sorry!! I will try to catch up soon.

Crazy Stories

Where do I begin...

The other night my roommate and I joined some girls to eat at the best Italian restaurant in Barcelona! I was delicious! After that we decided to take the metro home...this is where the fun begins. I was walking with a beautiful, tall blond girl who looks like Taylor Swift. As we strolled along one side of the station, she tapped and whispered, "Look over there! That man is peeing on the rail!" Sure enough. We began to giggle. Good thing he was on the other side of the tracks! Our conversation drifted as we began to talk about all the creepy men in this city--we were laughing and caring on till we realized HE WAS STANDING RIGHT BEHIND US! He tapped my bottom a couple times and said Hola! AYYY! I whipped around shook my finger at him and said NO! in my best "mother voice." I proceded to throw the metro map in his face, grab my friend and run through the rest of the station! We giggled about the entire thing all the way home.

Story 2: I was in a cab with two other girls. It was late, and a sweet old man was driving us home in what he called a Lambo. (SP?) He was singing with the radio, and we were carrying on a lovely conversation until the let out the most terrifying cat scream. I really can´t do it justice. Imagine two cats fighting to the death...

Story 3: This one is not so crazy as it is unbelievable. Last night my twin and I went to Razzmatazz...the hottest club in Barcelona! There five floors of dancing with different music on each level. Thousands of teens pour into the place starting at 2am. When we arrived at 3am! Ya...3am! It was packed. We had a blast, and I was safely in bed by 7am.

Praise God!

Sunday night I was feeling a bit down, so I asked God for the thing I wanted most...a friend (in Spain) to do things with. So...the next morning He sent me three!! I loved it! There are three girls from the states who joined my school Monday morning! One of them is my twin...a biochem major...who graduated early...is going to medical school...etc...We are having a great time together. Praise God!

Things are going pretty well with my Spanish--sometimes I surprise myself. Today, another group of friends and I went to a hole in the wall restaurante, and I confidently carried on a conversation with the server. Then...my group approached a group of well dressed men (on my behalf) and left me by myself to carry on a conversation with them...and...I did it...there was no hesitation in conversation...and I was able to communicate everything I wanted. Bien!!

This restaurant had the feel of Joe Allens with no tables or places to sit. Everyone stood around, gabbing, stuffing their faces, downing wine, and throwing their trash on the floor. It was quite a Spanish experience!

Entonces...everything is great here!

21 Feb 2010---You can't run from who you are...

Guess I just realized that I was once again trying to run from my life...guess it caught up with me.

Europeans really value relationships (or so it seems to me). Each day climaxes to a very social evening at a bar or restaurant. Large groups of people gather to eat, drink, laugh, and carry on with each other. I really like this idea...we should do it in the states.

Saturday was a fun day for me; I had the opportunity to join two friends from Barcelona and to tour many of the cities most popular sites...
The first picture is of Las Ramblas--the most famous street in Barcelona (kinda like Broadway). There are so many shops, people and artists lining the street--including human statues. Next is a monument of Columbus (Colon in Spanish). The view of the bay (Port Vell) was taken from the top of the monument! The last three pictures are of La Sagrada Familia. A GIGANTIC cathedral STILL under construction. Its construction is funded by donations, so it has taken MANY years to be constructed thus far. Consequently, many different designers (including the famous Gaudi) have worked on this cathedral over the years, and each part has a little different flare/style.

19 Feb 2010--Just met my Spanish crush...

I just met my Spanish crush on the metro from Entenca (In-ten-sa) to Liceu (Lee-say-you). I thought he was an American from the logos on his jacket, but once I asked, he gave me a beaming, "No." He was from Barcelona and had light brown hair and light eyes. MUY GUAPO!! We shared a short conversation in which his gorgeous smile radiated for about three minutes...but that was not enough time!! Oh well...

Btw...it rains way too much here! AY!

Ok...so a normal day in Spain looks like this:
Wake up early...eat some bread for breakfast...
At 10:45ish go for coffee and un postre (a pastry)...
Eat a big lunch at 3pm...
Siesta (rest) from 2-5 or 6 (I think)...
Dinner at 9ish...
Go to bar and/or meet with friends at midnight...
Enjoy yourself until 2am at the earliest...

Ay...what an adjustment....I had to take a 6 hour nap today just so that I could catch up...

18 Feb 2010--Park Guell

So I took an afternoon jog in Park Guell in the northern part of Barcelona. Um...it was really hilly!! Also, I was sporting my Underarmor...I don't think Europeans have seen UA before...um...ya...
This park was funded by the industrialist Eusebio Guell, man who grew wealthy from the slave trade. The buildings in this park were created by a eccentric, Modernist artist named Gaudi who is the pride and joy of Barcelona!

This is picture of Barcelona from one of the highest point in the park. If you look in the middle of the picture, you can see a row of trees. These trees line the most famous street in Barcelona--Las Ramblas! I will be going there tonight! Yeah!

17 Feb 2010--I've Got This...

I feel so much better about things! Today was a turning point for me! I understand at least 80% of my professors' instructions! This is good for me! Also, I have made some good friends, and I finally feel connected with people. YEAH!! I've so got this...

A couple of interesting things...there are eight people in my class. They are from Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Russia, and Brazil! I am learning so much about these other countries! Love it!! Also, the US needs to celebrate Carnaval! That is all I am saying about that...

Let's see...I toured Barcelona on foot for three hours yesterday! I was in pursuit of a gym in which to join. What do you know...I am pretty good with directions and even better with gut instincts! I set out for two gyms and found three!!! The city is beautiful and feels much like Chicago. Buildings are tall and very European (with shutters and plants etc.).

Last night I visited the town of Sitges; it is a beautiful beach town with gorgeous buildings, narrow streets, and a lovely coast.

Everything is going well...I am about to take a nap...then study...then get some friends together for dinner!

16 Feb. 2010

This is harder than I thought...
I may be over my head...
Going to Carnival tonight...you should look it up...

15 Feb 2010--Facts...

-People in Europe really like the color black!
-My host mother sent me to the wrong school this morning...I frantically had to find the correct one by myself...happy day
-I am in WAY over my head
-Last night, Phillipe (a random 22 year old from Bogota) asked me out to dinner...but I decided to go to bed instead...great choice
-I make a bad European: I don´t have enough black clothes and I don´t know how to party
-I am one of two Americans at this school! I will try to represent you well.
-Mom is the only one reading this blog...pretty sure. haha...
-My school is really nice...pictures will be up soon
-Every European speaks at least four other languages...intimidating!
-Yes...Spanish men are good looking

14 Feb 2010--What have I done?

As I flew into the city, two thoughts came to my mind. What have I done? & YYEESSSSS! This is going to be great!

By the grace of God, I found my way (by train and metro) to my host grandmother´s apartment. To my surprise...it's a bingo hall...well the first floor at least...There I met her, a sweet lady with bright red hair. Estela speaks Spanish to me as if I were fluent! Haha! She is really giving me more credit than I deserve. By the end of this, I think we are going to be very close.

My roommate is Serevine and she is from Belgium! She says it is really, really cold there!

Throughout my trip, things kept going wrong! But I was always surprised by the people God put in my path to help me out! I met and was encouraged by so many; I even shared a cab with an endocrinologist who gave me a possible solution to my health concerns! Wow! Thanks God--did not see that one coming!

All in all...I feel myself growing...

Btw...it's really cold here!

13 Feb 2010--Just Try to Stop Me!

Travel time! All started off well in quite, little Abilene. Everything was on time and running smoothly--and what do you know...I wasn´t even charged for my extra 10 lbs. of luggage! Good work team! The flight went well and I fell asleep as we were landing at DFW. When I woke up--from what seemed like a lengthy nap--I was concerned and surprised to hear the attendant state, "Welcome to San Angelo..." What!? Yes...freezing fog in Dallas kept us from landing, and the plane had to re-route to San Angelo! No problem! I was going with the flow! Bring it on, right? So, from there I missed my flight to NYC--JFK; to my amusement, that was the only flight to JFK that day. Great! Bring it on! So I flew into NYC--La Guardia and arrived at 5 45. One hour and fifteen minutes...that was all the time I had to grab a cab, make it through the city to JFK, race through security, find the gate, and get on that flight! Did she do it? Oh ya!! I was the last person in line, but I made it! Just try to stop me.

I realized I am SO not in control...but I think someone important is definitely on my side!! :)

12 Feb 2010

Before I leave on this journey, a couple thoughts keep crossing my mind...
I have SO MANY amazing friends that I am leaving behind...they will be missed...
Praise God for my blessings and my life...
I hope to meet so many interesting people...
Most importantly...I hope to meet Kayla out there...