Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Just to reiterate the point that I have no sense of direction...

Yesterday, I decided to hang out with a couple of friends, and college students have been known to do, and while we were 'chilling' (as the hip young minds of today would say) it started to rain.  Now I love a good walk in the rain, it's in fact one of my favorite things to do.  However, when it rains in Bilbao, it isn't really a slight drizzle, which is beautiful to walk in, it's kind of like a harder rain that never stops...ever.
I wasn't worried by this, because we were in a place where the bus to pick me up stops at, which was great, it meant very little walking would occur, and I could remain dry.
This only works if you get on the right bus. Now I got on the bus with the number I needed, I just got on the one going the opposite direction of where I wanted to be. So guess who felt like a champ? Now what's even better, is that while in Nebraska, when you take the wrong bus you can stay on it and ride back to where you made your mistake, and then get on the right bus. In Spain, you have to get off the bus at the last stop. Which means that I had to get off somewhere, where I had never been before, and then had to find something that looked familiar and hope that I knew how to get home. Which I successfully did, after about a 40 minute walk and a 15 minute bus ride. It sucked, but it was a nice learning experience, it taught me to never go anywhere by myself.
However today made up for it, because I got ahold of my spanish exchange partner, and she seems super nice, and we are having our first meeting tomorrow, so I think that means I have my second official Spanish friend. (YAY ME!!) I also managed to walk up Satan's hill today in a pair of platform shoes, granted they're only like 2 inch heels, but it still counts, I've accomplished one of my goals. I also met a nice Irish boy, who sounds delectable when he speaks, and since I've seen him before at Deusto, it means I made my first Irish friend. (A REALLY BIG YAY ME) And later tonight, I'm going to a play, which I like doing, because I'm a classy bitch. I'm also going to chill with a friend before hand and have a lovely time that makes me feel better about me, because everyone needs someone like that. I hope you all are having a great day as well, and keep stalking my life, it makes me feel oober important.

Monday, September 24, 2012

I've now been a woman in Spain

If you don't understand the title, well then you probably aren't female. However, this explains a lot, as to why I've been so upset lately, and if I can just get through the next 4 days it will all be ok. I have found out that while it is impossible to find real cheetos in Spain, the cheetos puffs are almost the same, so someone needs to get on sending me cheetos through the computer.
I still feel kind of uncomfortable with my host family, I can't tell if my mom's face is just one that looks somewhat angry, or if she's actually displeased with me. And right now, that's not a good thing, because it just makes me want to cry. BECAUSE I'M A GIRL THAT'S WHY. And I still miss my dog. I REALLY need to find a big dog, before I go and buy one. No joke. If someone could mail me Datsik, I'd appreciate it.
I have decided that I shouldn't travel anywhere because I don't do enough homework when I travel. This creates time problems, because I never have enough time to waste on the internet. This weekend the game plan is to go to San Sebastian, which will have a film festival going on, and there's rumors of a good sized aquarium...CAN YOU SAY JELLYFISH BETCHES?!?! I'm somewhat excited for it. Maybe just a little.
I think that's all I have for you fantastic people, besides the reminders that I'd like cheetos and my dog whenever you get the chance. Also, someone tell my grandma happy belated birthday, and give everyone all my love, there's currently an overflow of it, and I need it to get cleaned up :)

Madrid and Toledo without the U.

So this weekend we had an excursion planned by the school to go to Madrid and Toledo, which didn't go quite the way I'd expected, but it was still a good time. So children, let's start with the story time
Friday morning I woke up at 6:20am, which is like the ass crack of dawn, to head to the bus terminal so that I could go take a five hour bus ride before touring the city. After the tour of the city we had free time until dinner, which was about 2-2.5 hours.  Needless to say I went home and napped as soon as possible, because naps that's why.  After about an hour of sleeping, it was off to dinner, which wasn't as impressive as the lunch was, and leaves me with nothing to describe to you. We did see the old royal palace though, which as you would expect, was filled with beautiful decorations that you couldn't take pictures of, along with tapestries and pictures, most of which cost more than I'll ever make in my life.
After dinner I felt a little ill so I decided that I wasn't going to go out, Madrid or no, and my roomies for the weekend decided to stay in with me. So we did the typical girl thing, and chatted for around 3 hours like 10 year old girls. It was nice, especially when we were some of the few without massive hangovers for the Toledo tour.
However, not all was well the next day.  When I say it was seriously trying, I'm not joking.  The only thing I could think about that day was how much I missed Toni and Datsik.  I'm pretty sure everyone in our group thought my mom had passed or something.  I was a mess, I wasn't speaking, and I almost cried, more than once. Even though, I managed to snag some great pictures (check le facebook for those, and if we aren't facebook friends, then I'm glad to know you like this enough to continue reading without photos). This moment also showed me that I do have some pretty great friends here who really do care about how I'm feeling, even if I'm not always bubbly and never-shutting-up. It's a good thing to know.
Besides that, Toledo is gorgeous, and I'm seriously upset that we didn't get to spend an entire day there, I'm pretty sure if I travel anywhere, that's one of the places I'm going to go to (again), there was a gorgeous cathedral that I really want to see things of, without a Jesus fanatic preaching as to why her religion is right (to those of you who know me, you know I'm not the biggest believer in God, and while I'm tolerant of other's views, that only lasts so long when they're shoving it down my throat). We weren't allowed to spend any 'alone' time there though, which was a huge bummer, because there were a lot of things we didn't get to see.
After Toledo's tour and a lunch, we returned to Madrid with the afternoon to ourselves, which means SHOE SHOPPING. And yes I did get a fabulous pair for only 9 euro, which ups my shoe collection here to around 10 pairs for only 35 euro. Yea, I kind of rock at this. After we finished shopping, we got to have more nap time before dinner, and after dinner, all the ladies got fabtabulously delectable and looked like rock stars. Not even joking. There have never been such stunning women in one group, I swear. We headed to the hottest club at 1am.  I only partied for a few hours because I was still a little upset. But everyone else had a lot of fun, and they had some really amazing parts to that club. I might go back just to see if I enjoy it more when I'm in a better mood.
The next day after about four hours of sleep, I went to breakfast, and found out we had to go tour an art museum, and that I was not, in fact, allowed to be in my pjs all day :(.  So I went upstairs to do a last sweep check to make sure everything was all packed and to change into some 'real' clothes. This art museum was actually pretty amazing, and I plan on going back so that I can see all the pieces at my leisure, instead of a tour guides (although she was pretty fantastic at what she did, and it wasn't her fault we arrived late and only had a few hours scheduled with her anyway).  The art there was so beautiful, a few were strange, but still beautiful.
Now onto the reason why we were late, because the large majority of everyone went out the night before, there were a few people who were seriously hungover, now all of them but about one managed to be on time (or like 5 minutes late at the most) except for one kid, who seemed to think it was awesome that he almost got left in Madrid, because he was 25 minutes late. No joke. It was a bit past ridiculous, and our instructor was NOT pleased.  It wouldn't surprise me if he's put on probation with the school because of it.
But that doesn't matter, because it was basically a good time, in beautiful places with people I'll never forget, even if I'm missing home a bit more.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Besides the hills of Spain

One of the most difficult things I've had to adjust to is people's brusqueness. Now if you know me, I'm not the most subtle person on the face of the planet, there is a long line in front of me. But even I wouldn't say what some of the Spaniards say openly.
For instance, like I mentioned in my last post I went with a friend to her doctor's appointment to act as an interpreter, well today we had a follow up. After he finished the check up and routine questions to make sure she was feeling better, he started going on about how her Spanish was bad, and she needed to work on it, which is true, but not something I would have said to some basically random person.  If they asked maybe, but not outright, and especially not in the manner he did. It was just shocking.
Another example is that my host mom keeps calling me fat. Now I know I'm not skinny and that I will realistically never fit into a size 2, and I'm ok with that. I like me, for the most part, as I am.  On top of that, I've lost weight in the two weeks I've been here, nothing major like 100 pounds or anything, but enough that I can tell the difference with how my clothes fit me. Now my host mother is sweet, and I know she doesn't mean anything by it, she's just pointing out a fact. But as an American, I'm floored every time she does it, because we don't comment on people's weight to them, that's like social faux pas number one. The funny thing about this is, that if she were serious about me losing weight, she would stop feeding me so much food. Every lunch I eat at home, is a three course meal, and I'm not joking about that. I get a pasta or salad first, then a meat course with some other side, and like half a loaf of bread. That's a normal lunch. Now I'm not complaining about the amount I get, because if you know me, I LOVE TO EAT. It's kind of like my best skill, besides being awkward, making situations inappropriate, and creeping people out. So eating this much food is fine by me, I just want my ama to stop commenting on my weight if she's not going to do anything to help me thin myself down.
ON A POSITIVE NOTE: I have now walked up Satan's hill two days in a row without having to take a break, and today I did it after playing an hour of soccer (granted I was the goalie and failed epically, but it was a fun time, and I was still somewhat active).

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

I'm having the best week ever basically

So to start it out, this weekend, with all the clubbing, my ama (host mom) gave me a couple of the nicest compliments anyone has ever said to me.  Being that I'm the best non-hispanic Spanish speaker she's ever hosted, and that I constantly look gorgeous when I go out.  Both of these coming from a Spanish woman, are pretty damn encouraging things.
I finally started my last class yesterday, and it was by far the most fun I have ever had in a class in my life, and yes Julia, if you read this, that means it beats Chris in French class. We basically just played games and did activities to mejorar our Spanish, and get to know each other.
Also yesterday, I went with a friend to a Doctor's office because she needed help translating, and as Superwoman, it's kind of my job to help those in need. While we were there, we had to wait a ridiculous amount of time to be seen, like over an hour, which was like I said ridiculous, but oh well. So when we got in to see the good Doctor, I whipped out my Spanish vocab and was like "bam, take that bro, I'm like a native!" Not really, but we got the point across, better than expected, and we got her the meds she NEEDS to be on, that last bit is a joke, he just prescribed her large quantities of Ibeprofuen, and yea screw spelling that word correctly.  But the really awesome part of this was that the medicine man complimented me on how well I speak spanish...SO BAM. Two compliments on how amazing I am in less than a week. Spain loves me, and I'm never leaving.
Then today, I was talking to one of the guys who has an apartment without a host family here, and got the clearance to go over with a friend and cook. Which is something that I'm ecstatic about, because I seriously miss it, and since Spanish women are territorial about kitchens, this is kind of fantastic news.  Besides that, I got a confirmation email about some paper work for my going to France next semester, that was such a relief to receive. And the piece de resistance (since we're talking about France here) I walked up Satan's hill without stopping today. I am officially a BAMF, and all you peons shall bow before my awesomeness.
Needless to say I'm celebrating my good fortune by eating whatever amount of sweet delicacies I can buy with 10 euros.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

THE weekend

So as you can tell, I've been slacking off a bit with this blog, because I have school and nothing new or interesting to say. But after this weekend, I have a megapost to make you guys. The only problem is to remember all the details from the past four days. But for you, I'll do my best.
Thursday night, the kids from CIDE (which is the office here in Spain in charge of dealing with the group of students that I'm in) were put on the VIP list to a club in Bilbao, Erasmus World. And this place was awesome, there was a bar downstairs and an air conditioned one upstairs with like a little lounging area. Not to mention they had gogo dancers stripping. Which no one knew about or expected, so the Americans in the club were kind of like "what the hell is this magical land?" And on top of that, all of us CIDE girls were looking fabtab and fine. You'll either have to take my word for it or go check out facebook, because I didn't have my camera on me all weekend, and so I have no proof to back up my claims.
However as a tip, for those of you who are on the same or lesser intelligence level as me, I have some advice. When you go to a club, keep your shoes on the whole time, and if you can't do that in heels don't wear heels. I could not do that, and because of that, ended up getting three small slices on my feet and a couple shards of glass embedded into the sole of my foot, which I didn't realize there was actually glass in it until today, and having to open up a somewhat healed cut to dig around in it is painful.
Although I didn't get to stay as long as I would have liked, because I had to help a friend get home, and I wasn't about to let her walk around Spain at 3am by herself, I still managed to have a pretty fantastic time.  And there was only minor quantities of alcohol involved, so my liver was happy as well.
Friday night was also spent at a club, and while this one wasn't as tiny and intimate as the one from the previous night, it was still one hell of a good time. However, I had a few more problems this night than just a few cuts on my feet. One of the girls I went with was nice enough to hold my phone and little coin purse with all my money, keys, and tickets for the bus/metro.  Well, I misheard her while she and another girl were talking, so I managed to snag my coin purse before she took off, but since I didn't realize she was actually leaving to go back home, she left before I could get my phone. Although this wasn't such a huge deal since I don't have any minutes left on it, and only had it for the numbers stored in it.
So after having this minor problem, you'd think I'd have figured out to keep my stuff on me, well, if you know me, you know how ridiculous of an idea that is. So, I asked a friend if I could borrow their pocket to put my little wallet in, and he said yes. So then I was like ok, just chilling out, getting a little buzz of my friend Sailor Jerry, having a good time.  Well this friend and a few others from the group decide they want to get their spanish on, so they go outside to meet some seƱoritas.  Well I start to freak out a little because like the previous situation, I don't know exactly where he is, or what his plans are, so when the three guys he was with come back in, and he's still outside I get a little bit worried, especially since they hadn't been with him, and didn't know where he was either. So I wait a few more minutes and try not to freak out, because you have to have faith.  Well a little while later I walked back to the doors after distracting myself with a few dances, and I see a couple girls walk back in, and I ask if they'd seen him.  Those lovely darlings, had and then walked me over to where he was so that I could get my wallet, which I (smartly) kept for the rest of the night in my hand.
The rest of the night was spent sweating out every drop of water/alcohol I had in my system, and I had such a good time doing it. I got to meet one of the kids from my group's host brother, who was pretty phenomenal and one hell of a good time. I'm seriously hoping we get to party with him soon, because he and his friends are crazy awesome. We called it quits at around 6am and decided to leave before the rest of the club cleared out, and the remaining five of us took the metro home.
Last night was supposed to be a continuation of the dance festival that was going on, but since no one was sure how to get to the beach this big dance-a-thon was at, our group got split up, I was one of the five who decided to stay in Algorta and drink at an Irish pub. I have tasted Guiness and can say that while it is way better than most American beers, and that it kicks the shit out of Heinekin, it's not my favorite thing to drink, at all. Anyway, this night was probably my favorite so far, it might not have been wild with any crazy stories (at least not ones that I care to share with the world), but it was nice to just chill with a few decent people and talk about everything and anything. I may have been slightly obnoxious, but to anyone who's actually been with  me while I'm happily buzzed and on the verge of drunk, knows I get this way. Just ask my darling Becca. Anywho, I made pacts that I happily remember, got enough hugs to last me until tomorrow, and made what I consider to be some pretty good friends. All in all it was a fabtab weekend, and I'd like to have something like last night repeat at least once every weekend, just for a relaxed good time.
Today has been spent sleeping, watching movies, eating, and doing homework. Which is how I wish the rest of life were, I'm going to be so spoiled by the time this semester is actually over...

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Lacking a creative title

So, I've noticed that during the week, I don't have a lot to blog about. This is basically because nothing interesting happens during the week, besides my spanish teachers deciding they don't want me to have a chance to party during the week.
However, I can tell I'm getting more in shape, I don't feel like passing out every time I reach the top of Satan's hill any more, and I spend less time at the midpoint break area.  This makes me excited, although I have gotten my fair share of blisters because cute shoes and this hill do not get along :( and the only weight it's making me lose is from my boobs. IT'S NOT FAIR.
Tomorrow however includes a nice shopping trip, and probably some eating of "american" food, in order to deal with a little bit of homesickness. And if I'm lucky I'll find some nice spanish person who will let me play with their dog.
But more on that later.

Monday, September 10, 2012

The End of the Honeymoon Stage

It's finally starting to sink in that I'm not a tourist here for a week, and that I'll be here awhile.  I'm really starting to miss Datsik, and I don't really know anyone with a dog yet so that I can go and visit them for some real puppy love. I really want some Ranch dressing, and I'm about ready to stop eating anything that my host mom puts salt in. I don't have any of my close friends here, and I haven't made anything but party buddies so far, and it makes me a little sad. I don't know what to do with myself during all the free time I have, because classes haven't started to give out homework yet, and like I said, I don't have any close friends yet to just go and chill with.
However, I have found a delicious gelato store, that I can find without a problem, and as long as I can get to Casco Viejo, I can find numerous shoe stores for some seriously needed retail therapy, because shoes that's why. I haven't cried yet from my homesickness, but I know it's bound to happen soon.  This means that I should stock up on more chocolate and soon, just to be prepared.
This studying abroad thing is both easier and harder than I thought. I'm fine with the class loads and talking in spanish all the time, but I miss the small things that remind me of home, like I'd never thought I'd be sad to see so little grass. I like being in such a busy place, but I hate that I don't have a best friend here to enjoy it with me. I know that I can still talk to everyone back home, but it's not quite the same as being in their presence. I guess that means all you people from back home should feel super loved.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

It's a beautiful thing that Bilbao has a seriously top notch organ transplant system

Because after this semester I think I'll need a new liver.  These Spaniards are locos! I don't know how they can party this hard every weekend, clearly I didn't practice enough back home. So let me tell you all about the last two nights I've had here.
Friday night a few of us (like 9 people I think) met up at the plaza moyua, which is really pretty with a fountain and lots of flowers, and the organizer of this meeting wanted to go drink in a park.  So we went to a store and some of the others picked up whatever they were drinking so that they could go crazy spanish style. Well after walking around for a while a place was found and people consumed their drinks.
After a while a few of us got antsy because we wanted to go to a bar, instead of just chilling in a park, so we walked to Casco Viejo to find one. It was like a 20 minute walk until we found a bar that was open and we jumped at the chance to get some drinks finally. We had a great time, and we weren't even the loudest group in the bar, which is surprising because it was basically a group of around twenty students all around the age of twenty (a few other groups decided to join us in our revelry and merriment).
We stayed at the bar until around 3 if I remember correctly, and a large quantity of photos were taken, all of them masterpieces if I say so. Anyway, after getting nicely liquored up, we went back to one of the guys apartment and continued on with our drunken party. We stayed there, just chilling and playing a few games until about 5 in the morning.
A couple people stayed over because the metro closes down at 2 and don't open up until 6 in the morning. I however had to walk up Satan's hill, although I did convince someone to walk with me, for safety reasons. Although I felt kind of awful about it, because he didn't quite take me seriously when I said it was a really hard climb. Regardless I made it home safe, and we both got a work out, and he was rewarded with like four shots in one for his valiant gentlemanly behavior.
The next day (saturday) was spent basically recuperating until around 8pm, because crazy awesome nights will do that to a person. Eventually a plan was hatched to go to a town that was having a street festival, and get crazy there. So a few of the guys from the Bilbao area headed to the metro to meet up with the Getxo gang, and then from there head to the fiesta.
This place was packed when we arrived, there was no extra standing room on the metro ride over, and when we got to the town, everyone got off with us. It was so crazy and so much fun. I got a few free drinks, because I found the best bartenders, and a few drinks for way under priced.  I guess it's about damn time this pretty face started putting in it's fair share of action. I learned how to say thank you in Basque, but I'm not even going to attempt spelling it.  I also met a group of local women, who were pretty awesome. All the locals that I talk to say that I speak very well, which is good to know, because that means I speak awesome drunk spanish.
We stayed at the fiesta until about 530 in the morning, then caught the metro to head back home.  I walked up to my apartment by myself, and I didn't die, so I'm feeling pretty badass today.  The only problem with that 'hill' is that walking up it when drunk makes you so sober, so that you can't fall asleep with a nice little buzz. Either way it was a damn good time.
Nothing super adventurous is happening today, there might be a beach date, but most likely not, and I'm ok with this, because my body needs some TLC.

Friday, September 7, 2012

The first friday night

So last night was seriously fun. We went to a bar in Getxo where they flipped a coin and if you guessed the right side you got your drinks for free. I only managed to snag one drink, but there were a few people who got three for free. Most of us stayed there until two in the morning, and then took cabs back to Bilbao so that we could prepare for tonight.
Today was our visit to the Guggenheim museum, and there were some really awesome pieces in there. Others kind of looked like finger paintings, but hey, to each their own. Anyway out front is one of the really awesome pieces, it's a giant dog covered in flowers, so like Clifford only a patchwork of flowers.
There was another piece, a painting of the sea, that was sort of blurred so that it looked like a fuzzy picture from a camera, I would have snagged a picture, but that was frowned upon, and I figured I should behave for at least the first few weeks here. Another really cool piece was a painting of this dude, lying on his back looking at a sky full of stars, I would have bought it, had there not been the issue of getting it home somehow, and finding a place where Datsik wouldn't eat it or destroy it.  
After the Goog, i finally got a phone, so that way in case of an emergency I'm not stranded, and it was in perfect timing because I thought tonight I'd be going to an overnight party.  However, nobody from my group of students wanted to go to that, so we're hitting a bar tonight instead, which is ok, I'm sure I'll be able to find local Spaniards at a bar just as easy as at a festival. And while I entertained the thought of going to the festival alone, I'm not crazy about being alone at 6 in the morning trying to get back to Bilbao by myself, I'm not that grown up. 
And that's about all I have for now, I suppose it's time I finish getting ready to par-tay. 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

I am writing this a half an hour before I leave for my first Spain party...so if it's brief you know why.  Today was the first day of classes, and I've already decided which of my professors to adore for forever. His name is Francisco and he is hilarious, he's going to make my literature course less painful. I've also decided to slack hardcore and only take 12 credits, because I'm in Spain that's why. Other than that, there's nothing special to report about school, all the fun excursions are over for a while, there's the Gugenheim tomorrow, but that's tomorrow and not today. 
I'd like to mention the hill of Satan, because it's pure evil and is the best workout course for any American.  It consists of probably a miles walk up like a 60 degree slope (I'm not for sure, I was always awful at geometry, all I know is that it hurts and it's the steepest thing I've ever had to climb). Well today, I had to go up and down that beast twice. Which is crazy ridiculous because it means I walk funny for the rest of the day because my muscles aren't used to the strain, BECAUSE IT'S A MILE OF HILL. Anyway, I think when I get back to the U.S.A. I'm going to create something like this and all the exercise junkies will go nuts about it, and I'll have college payed for.
Tonight I have my first party to go to, which I'm super excited about, because it's a party, and it's going to be around the same area with the fantastic sangrias, so I know what I'll be drinking tonight. I just hope it's going to be as good as expecting, let downs are never awesome.
AND DON'T WORRY I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THE RESULTS TOMORROW.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Getxo y Plentzia

I wish that I could tell you that I got pictures of one of the coolest places I have ever seen, beaten only by the Blue Grotto on the Island of Capri, but I didn't because the batteries in my camera decided to die today. Which is more unfortunate than you can know, because the architecture of these places was phenomenal. When I say that they looked like miniature castles, I'm not exaggerating. It was so cool, it ties as one of the places I'd like to live as an adult.
While we were there, we had the most fantastic lunch, I lack the words to describe the deliciousness that I was able to put into my mouth today. It was some type of fish over buttery scalloped potatoes, and it beats anything in my life I'd ever eaten. I think I would entertain the idea of giving up sushi to eat this stuff more often.
After lunch, we went and toured the area directly above the beach, and got to go to this cute little bar, where we could either stay or go directly back to Bilbao. Most of us elected to stay in Getxo, and drink some fabulous Sangria. It is the best drink I've ever had, it's so sweet it goes down just like water. After those, I tried this thing called a calimocho (I think), which is coke and red wine. I know it sounds awful, but it grows on you. All and all it was a pretty good day, although we did get lost after we got off the metro, but finding our way is getting a bit easier. One day, I'll be able to walk through Bilbao and know where I am.

Here are some pictures of the courtyard between all the apartment buildings where I'm staying and the view of Bilbao I get to look at when I walk to school.  There's also pictures of the chapel in the university that I'm studying at along with a few pictures from Plentzia before my camera died.







Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Casco Viejo

Today was the first day at the University, we haven't started classes yet, it was just the first orientation session. After an introduction to the people at the school in charge of my care, a Spanish placement test that was waaaaaay harder than it should have been, and a two hour briefing about Bilbao and the school, we moved our group of international students on to lunch.  Now, if you know me, you know I've never been really fancy and I'm ok with this. I wish I would have taken pictures of the restaurant I ate lunch at today.  If you think I'm exaggerating when I tell you that it was the fanciest place I've been to, here's a fun fact: the entire bathroom was made of marble. MARBLE. It was a multiple course meal, and it even had all the fancy little forks, spoon and knife awaiting to be used.  And again I'm regretting not whipping out my camera to take pictures. We had a pasta con salsa de tomato con carne (basically noodles with meat sauce) which was fantastic.  The sauce was so much more excellent than the Ragu I'm used to back in the states. After the pasta, we were served some pollo asado con papas fritas (grilled chicken with french fries) and an optional cheese sauce, which was also phenomenal. And my favorite part of the meal was the postre....because who doesn't freaking love chocolate and cake and cream? Lunatics, that's who. I was the only one to finish my plate of dessert at my table, and I see no shame in this. IT'S CAKE. 
After we finished our lunch, we went on a small tour of Bilbao, basically to the Casco Viejo (the old downtown) and then to the more modern current downtown.  The Casco was so beautiful, they had so many plazas filled with flowers, and the architecture is amazing. In Bilbao, if you live in the Casco, you are required by law to keep the facade exactly as it is, you aren't allowed to alter it, except with paint, but at all costs the facade must be kept up.  Almost every apartment there has an ironwork balcony, because Bilbao was/is known for it's mine and iron work, amongst other things. 
Along with some fabulous views, the Casco is home to about 75 shoe stores.  Basically I have found heaven.  If I hadn't been on a tour, and if the shops weren't closed for lunch, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have any money left in my accounts for the rest of the semester. Our teacher/guide also told us about some fantastic bars to hit up down there, which are supposed to have fantastic pinchos. 
After this, we moved on to the more modern city centure, which made me love Bilbao even more.  There are like gardens everywhere, you can find little parks to just sit and chill in everywhere.  It's fantastic.  As we were walking today, there was like legitimately a secret garden hidden away in this alley with huge trees and a lot of different flowers, will I be able to find it again? Probably not, but at least I got to see it once. Anyway, down in the city center we got to see the main shopping street of Bilbao, which basically goes on for ever, and is filled with stores ranging from clothes to books to lingerie to food to MORE SHOES. 
After we finished with the tour, the girl who is living in the apartment complex next to mine, and I walked home. Needless to say, I have had my first lost experience. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been, and it was a fantastic learning experience.  However, if you ever find yourself in the same situation, remember trust people with dogs and babies first, I don't have a real basis for this theory, but I feel like they'd be less likely to take your stuff. Anyway, we were only lost for about 5-10 minutes and hadn't had to really start panicking when we found our way back to the super mega huge ginormous incline that takes us back to our homes. I know understand how I'm going to lose 70 pounds in Spain while still eating the largest meals I've ever had.  This city is built on a mountain, they might tell you a hill, but it's like no hill I've ever seen.  You basically have to rock climb to get to the top.  Needless to say, there was a break taken in the middle of the slope so that I could live to die another day. 
But the best thing I have learned today, is that there IS diet coke in Spain. Now I don't need to give up my addiction after all. 








Some lovely photos from today.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Taking Europe by Storm

At approximately 11:30 yesterday morning (holy cow has it really been that long?!) Javier Fernando Guillermo Torres Fidel Hernandez the third (that adorable little llama fellow in the picture) and I started our adventure of flying over the Atlantic to get to Spain, where I'll be studying abroad for what seems like a lifetime now that it's finally started.  Mumsy walked me down to the security checkpoint, where I proceeded to bawl like a baby, because I love my mother oh so much, and would have very much loved to shove her into my carry on so she could come with me, and yes, I would have given her some air every now and again.  Once she started to get far enough on the wrong side of the line to cause some TSA members to panic, we hugged and said good bye. Which then made me cry harder, because I'm just that big of a boss. So Javier and I made it through the TSA screening, and I made no inappropriate comments, and the screening wasn't even as bad as I was expecting. 
Waiting in the terminal was probably one of the most nerve wracking experiences I've had, which either says that I'm never going to be good in a strenuous situation, or I have easily affected nerves, guess there goes my career as a spy. The flight went smoothly and the person I sat next to just so happened to be pregnant. Now if any of you have met me once, you probably know about my obsession with being pregnant/babies. So this woman had to be like 5 months along, with a beautiful baby bump that was ripe for the stroking (and if that doesn't make you cringe, you've clearly spent too much time with me).  I however did not touch her stomach, because I have the willpower of something with a lot of freaking will power. 
After arriving in Chicago, I got to see what a real airport should look like, which of course include large quantities of sushi bars.  I went directly to my terminal, bypassing the sushi - which also happens to be another serious feat for me, and had a short wait.  On this flight though, I was in for a treat, though.  But first I had to deal with a non-treat.  This flight was the only one where I have to say I had seriously bad luck with seating.  I was the first one in my row and had managed to get a ticket with the window seat, so I was under the impression that I had won the lottery. However, I was soon proven wrong when my seatmates boarded. It was a mother and her son, and they were not fabtab.  Firstly the son wouldn't stop whining about how the lady checking people in was being such a bitch about making him check his instrument, that was worth more than she made in a year and blah blah blah blah poor me.  Like I get you're upset bro, and I'm sure that if you hadn't acted like an asshat things might have gone smoother for you, but calling someone a bitch who is simply trying to do their job, and having to deal with an offensive person on top of that, is just not ok. On top of this, his mother who was sitting next to me, took off her shoes, which while it bothers me, fine that's ok you're in your space, decided to remove them from her space and move them into mine. Which is when the 'eff this noise bro' mode kicked in and I decided a nap was in order.  When I awoke some 30 minutes later, the man/boy/child was still whining about how unfairly he was treated.  
In order to distract myself further, I started the best airplane game ever, called let's eavesdrop. During this game, I found out that two of the girls on the plane sitting close by were also doing the same study abroad that I was. Which was great news, because who doesn't love back up in a new and scary place? 
After landing, we became a group of survivalists, running through the wilderness of the Philadelphia airport trying to make it to our next destination. When we got to our terminal, we found the only group of three seats available and staked our claim on the new territory.  While being all adult like and responsible we went and checked in for our longest flight of the day, and waited for the airline to start boarding passengers.
When the boarding time rolled around and then passed, nerves were awoken and the question of whether or not we would be able to make our final flight, which barely gave us an hour to get to the next terminal and check in. However, the airline was awesome, and had us all ready to go at only five minutes later than expected. While waiting to board, I met one of the coolest people on the planet, and I say this, because she is in a certain fashion similar to me.
Within the first 30 minutes of being next to each other, we had already managed to find the most awkward topic in the history of plane rides, and then expanded on it for over an hour. And while I feel slightly sorry for the other passengers around us, I don't care all that much, because it was the best eight hour flight of my life, and until the holy day comes, when someone releases an airplane horror porn, I will be disappointed (sorry for the faint of heart who decided to read this).  On top of this and pigging out on the airline food/snacks we brought along, we watched some fantastic movies, and created a beautiful awkwardness for anyone within 3 rows/columns of seats. By far one of my fondest memories.
After the end of that fantastic part of the voyage, the other girls and I landed with 55 minutes until our next flight left.  Along with the time shortage, a few of us didn't have our boarding pass needed for this flight.  So we had to find the check in counter that could provide us with this necessity and then make it past the international checkpoint and go through security again.  Needless to say we actually ran through the airport and were extremely frightened about missing the final flight before we could meet our families and take some seriously earned naps. But our luck held and we made it with just about 15 minutes to spare. The flight went smooth and we landed safe and sound in Bilbao without a problem.  With only some minor confusion about where to get our luggage (none of which was lost, PRAISE BE TO JAYSUS), we were on our way to find our car from the university to meet our host families. 
This is where we part days until tomorrow, where we will be reunited to take some tests and register for classes. I went home with my new mom and first father (WOOOO) to find out where I lived and to meet my sister.  It's definitely been interesting, I'm not going to be as independent as I am back home. Which will take some adjusting, because, I like being in charge of me.
As a few hints to anyone who reads these and is considering going abroad, remember:
1. You do not know a foreign language nearly as well as you think you do, a class room setting is seriously different from the real world setting
2. Be prepared for different foods that might not be something you would ever look at and go, 'holy cow when do I get to eat this', instead be prepared more for a 'ok, it doesn't look like it's living, I've got this bro'.
3. Never try green cheese from Spain, no the color isn't green, but the taste is like that of a basement mixed in with some 15 year old's football bag mixed in.
4. Smile, you'll get more help that way.
5. Don't ever blame the person who is trying to do their job, it'll only cause you more problems and get you less help in the end.
6. Take whatever friends come your way, they make it a little less stressful.




In case you were curious to see more Javier and details, there you go.

The Weekend Before

 So, before I left for my trip to Spain, I thought I would have a going away party, so that all the people who adore the holy mother loving doody out of me would have an easy way to stop by and say good bye for the next few months. What I had not expected, however, was to be bombarded with such awesome gifts.
 Firstly, you can see four big multi-bracelets which I've been oogling on a friend of mine's arm for quite some time. She clearly noticed, and decided that I should be able to accessorize properly while I was away from home.
 The next few gifts are from my fabtab friend Liz, who managed to make me teary eyed by giving me the most random stuff. The bottle above is clearly a 5 hour energy, what the common observer doesn't get to see is that the bottle says "when you need a pick me up", which was one of about 6 items in my survival kit.
 This one is pretty self explanatory, and you can just read the note, but still one of the sweetest things I've ever received.
Another fantastic present, because everyone knows there is really never a reason needed to drink (I promise I'm not an alcoholic).
One of the first movies Liz and I ever watched, which was kind of the beginning to like seven of our traditions, which I will dearly miss while I'm away.

This is kind of explanatory, but I just have to say, really? I've found that sexy someone, and you only give me  ONE CONDOM?! Like that's not even funny guys.

Nuff said, although this one didn't make it to my bag, and my big fat aka my dog Datsik, ate this present.
This last one, is my all time favorite present ever given. It's a journal so that I can write down my entire experience and not miss a single thing to go back and reread/relive. On the inside are amazingly beautiful quotes and pictures of me and my family when I was little. It's just so absolutely amazing. And it's only one of the numerous reasons I've realized I am truly blessed with amazing people in my life.