Well where do you start when you’ve been swamped with school and exams for the past couple of weeks? Sad that I haven’t had any time whatsoever to blog which is unusual considering I'm usually pretty good at keeping up with it- for all of you followers I’ll try to do better at making more time for both! Instead of trying to explain every day that I have yet to write down, a good ‘ol Gullah of what’s been going on in my life in Spain over the last 2 and a half weeks or so seems like a better idea.
You create new dreams and add on to the ones you’ve already had by just taking the time to soak it all in. Have you ever just sat somewhere you thought you might never have sat before and just soaked in the atmosphere? You don’t have to be in Spain to do it if you haven’t. Try it- try something new- come out of your comfort zone and test the waters. It’s okay to be scared but if you always let that hold you back you will never improve yourself and grow as a person. Just like in language, if you never try to improve, if you never try to speak, if you never fail, you’ll never get anywhere.
You can’t be afraid.
So much of this world is stuck in being afraid. Being afraid of failure, or being afraid to submerge yourself within a completely new atmosphere. Being afraid to walk alone, or being afraid to stand up for what’s right. Being afraid of what other people think, or being afraid of just going with it and trusting that by letting it be God won’t let you fall. I wish I could show the world how I see and that maybe people would get it but that’s also the beauty right? If everything was always perfect we wouldn't have any room to learn on our own- which is probably one of the hardest parts of growing up.
In the past weeks I have eaten a variety of foods, walked a variety of streets, gotten lost a few times, practiced my taxi cab skills, met a surplus of people, stared at my fair share of beautiful soccer players, viewed a mix of historical monuments, learned the true meaning of what it means to sweat, took too many touristic pictures and not enough in the moment pictures, ran not enough, had too many stomach aches from ice cream, more than enough experienced my worst heart burn ever, danced to a mess of music, ripped a skirt busting a move American style, acquired more than enough blisters, used skype way more than normal, slept less than in my entire life, spoke Spanish more than ever, appreciated the little things in life, fallen in love with Spain, and passed for being a Sevillian. Crazy to think all of that has happened in just a couple weeks, and man does time fly.
It seems just yesterday I was sick with strep throat on my birthday flying over to Spain and leaving all I had ever known on the other side of the world. A month later I am still in Spain, living the life, and making my dreams actually come true this time. So many stories to tell, I wish all of you could be here with me to see it for your self. Now that I’m 20, and actually out of my teens legitimately, it may seem weird but I have felt more grown up than ever, like actually a real “adult”.
And once again I have learned that life isn’t always easy and sometimes you have no choice but to stick it out and adapt to the harshness of situations- like this intense situation of school and my intense professora- and let me tell you, its been hard, real hard, but it has pushed me to grow up even that much more and realize once again that life can be so intense and hard sometimes and you just have to learn how to handle and adapt to the situation as best you can. A wise man once told me- anything worth having in life isn’t easy to get- and trust me once again, it’s so true. Because after this trip, I will know the meaning of hard work more than ever and the desire to make it and continue making it through until you fully accomplish and achieve what is worth having. And I challenge you to have that view, it may not always be how you want it, and it may not always be easy but it’s worth it.
To break it down, here’s an overview along with details and stories from the last two weeks. As I’m writing this, I will probably remember more details I want to add so who knows right now how much more you will be reading but bear with me because its awesome.
Just some random thoughts: There’s a picture of my pops and momma above my bed that I get to see every night before I go to bed. I miss them. I live in a small little living quarters but somehow in a sense it’s comfortable, it’s enough to meet my every NEED, not want- but I don’t want anything more so it’s perfect. People in Spain don’t believe in AC- which means YES, I DO NOT have AC. So instead I learned the grace of windows and breezes. I sleep in almost nothing every night- my shorts and sports bra- and haven’t used a blanket or sheet in the past month. I have one rink a dink fan in my room that’s from the 70’s but it’s way better than nothing and sure does feel better than stagnant air instead in my room. Too bad I lost my miniature fan on the way back from Cordoba- now I get to just deal. The weather in Sevilla is EXTREMELY hot. I now dream in Spanish, it’s interesting, and tells me that I’m learning something at least. Sometimes I wake up and ask myself if that really happened and that answer is always YES, that really did just happen. Everyone smokes in Spain, it’s EVERYWHERE. They even have vending machines just for cigarettes. My lungs are dying from the second hand smoke. Candra hates feet. Somehow convinced her to help put my socks on for me since my nails were just freshly painted- captured that moment.
My house mom makes the BEST food mmm LOVE IT. The food here is a lot different than in America, it’s so fresh and delicious. It also contains a lot of acidic products which then in turn gives me lovely heartburn- COOL. Definitely going to miss the food. Although I can’t wait to come home to my real mommas spaghetti and my dad’s hamburgers, along with some good old fashion BBQ! As far as school- it’s EXTREMELY intense.
That was of course after celebrating the 4th of July in Spain earlier in the week- and the next morning being a rough one for Caroline baha- that was an experience. My friend Caroline and I already have a favorite dance spot- Buddah. Love love love going to the discotecas. Its probably one of my absolute favorite things to do here, plus no body busts moves American style so its even better because then you get all these looks like what the heck just happened and its awesome hahah… until you rip a skirt- which I did. What can I say, I have a big butt and tight skirts don’t exactly work best when discoteca-ing, or so I found out. That was a hilarious night. Met a surplus of Law students studying abroad- Candra found her love- or so she thought. Hung out with them a couple times before they departed back to the states, that was fun. I have a favorite Bocadillo restaurant, he practically knows me by name- BEYOND TASTEY. Found out my real momma at home re-did my room so we shall see what it looks like when I get there. Learned that you just don’t go to discotecas in Spain on Saturdays because you will be wasting your time- right Caroline? JAJAJA.
Had a painting date with my Spanish class… AFTER a long night of the midterm celebration- that was fun waking up to paint at 9… even though I decided to sleep in a little extra and go with the other class oops haha. Everyday I’m shuffling and Danza Kuduro are my jams- don’t ask Caroline and I to show off because we’ll show you up. And you ALWAYS know it’s going to be a good night when you hear Danza Kuduro.
Some place in town has 5-euro mojitos; still have yet to find those. And my other P.I.C. (partner in class) Sam and I always take American songs and make up Spanish versions to them- its legit. I always pass the same guys when I’m running and one of these days I’ll stop to ask their name but until then, I’ll just keep running with my black Nike socks on and my cut off tees. And I know this is a jumbled mess of thoughts and terrible English but that’s what happens when you don’t have the proper time to sit down and write each detail. That sums up just about all my random thoughts.
We have excursions every weekend. So far we’ve only been on 3 BUT another is coming up this weekend and I am so completely excited to go. Our first excursion was to Cordoba, Spain. That was a bright and early morning- bus by 745 am. Ended up sleeping slightly on the bus until I discovered that my seat was infested with ants and that it was beyond impossible to get rid of them because there were so many. You better believe I switched seats on the way home haha. Saw the beautiful Mesquita de Cordoba, which is a Catholic cathedral but used to be a Muslim mosque before the reconquista española.
Realized that my house mom makes a banging bocadillo of ham and cheese. And got to see an old Jewish house filled with history. Moved on to Italica, Spain the next morning at 9 am instead. Italica is filled with ruins. It used to be a town or living area for the retired Spanish soldiers back then and now its just old rocks that all look the same except for the coliseum which almost got us kicked out haha.
Lesson: Don’t ever be an American and climb on the ruins because you think it will make a good picture and hey who ever gets to say they actually climbed on the ruins of Italica… little did we know that the security guard saw the boys and blew his whistle at them- turning on our escape modes, we got down REALLLL quick- having the head guard come get the boys and kick them out hahah. It ended up being hilarious because only the boys got kicked out and the girls got away with it, too bad their only “punishment” was sitting across the street at the local café to drink beer while they waited for us to get done- some “punishment” huh? Other than the rocks, occasional mosaics in the ground, and stray cats that like to follow my friend Christine- who hates cats- Italica was a quick little morning excursion.
This last weekend we went on an excursion to Granada, Spain. After two hours of sleep, that 645 am bus ride was intense. Popped in my headphones and passed out, feet up, and cold AC on, snoozing to some chill music. Pit stop half way through Candra and I found a nice table to lay our heads down on after being kicked off the bus for a break- too bad it smelt terrible like the rest of Spain so we decided to go inside instead and wake up.Found our way to the hotel room once we got to Granada, although I just crashed the party in Christine, Caroline, and Alexis’ room instead- we had a sleep over to say the least. Toured another Cathedral and lit two candles inside for my grandma Dee and Uncle Brian in heaven.
Toured the Alhambra- the palace of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella back when Christopher Columbus was discovering the Americas- and probably walked over 20 miles solely in there- the palace is HUGE. Took more than enough pictures- go check out my when in Granada album. Dinner break then off to a Flamenco show- man can they move their feet. It was nice to get to experience that- Flamenco is pretty popular in Spain. Headed on the alive at night bus to the center of town while the other bus went back to the hotel. Found the BEST kabob stand ever, it was seriously indescribable. Went bar hoping in Granada with the usual nightlife crew and found a bartender that did card tricks.
After bouncing out because of the constant hitting on Caroline, we headed to the DISCOTECA!! It was fun but I still like my spot in Sevilla better. After a crazy eventful night in the discotecas, walked out to witness a girl straight up BUST it in her heels, face down on the ground, as her friends just watched. I kind of felt bad but just couldn't help to giggle a little; face planting is when you know you’re not adult enough to know when enough is enough. EMBARASSING.
Got home, took a nap in bed, slept on top of my elbows- they definitely hurt real bad when I woke up- toured another Cathedral, went on an extra credit adventure, had to go to a planetarium and all the people I was with just looked at each other and then passed out for a nice 45 min nap haha it was classic. Went for another Kabob run, started my hw in the hotel waiting for the bus, finally got home after 3 hours in an uncomfortable seat, did hw until midnight and then passed out for a early school morning. What a weekend Granada was. Favorite place I’ve been to so far.
Although I really liked Granada, we’re going to Lagos, Portugal this weekend and I couldn’t be more excited!! Everyone that has been here for the whole summer keeps saying that it was their favorite part of the whole miniature summer semester so we shall see how amazing it really is after this upcoming weekend!! Can’t wait to just finally hang out on the beach and relax. You would think that being in Spain you would get real tan but actually being in Spain for me has just made mewhite again, I’ve lost a lot of my summer color.
Tuesday came quick enough. All my mornings always consist of early mornings during the week. Learned yet again some more tenses in Spanish. We talk to our tutors everyday in class for practice and I absolutely LOVE one of my tutors. She is so beautiful and cares so much that we learn. Received 4 pages of homework- not bad compared to the usual amount- and didn’t watch the movie in class like we were suppose to but that’s not surprising.
It was Sam’s 21st birthday on Monday so he was a little out of it in class today hahah but straight hilarious. Made up some more songs in class like usual. Class got out early and Cadiz, Spain beach bound Caroline, Christine, and I were!! 2 hour train ride and homework complete we arrived in Cadiz. We creeped on the low on some summer study abroad loves. The beach was NICEEEE. The water was cold. And the soccer boys were so good looking- EVERY SINGLE ONE was cut to the max- unreal. Before we knew it, the time to catch our train arrived and we headed back home to Sevilla. A late dinner that I did not receive, I jumped in the shower and hit the bed.
Today we had class only for 45 minutes and then went on an adventure to a museum in Sevilla. Got done with the museum by 12 and headed home to enjoy the rest of my day. Have tutors tonight at 8, then home for dinner and to get ready for tonight, then off to Alfalfa to celebrate Beto’s- one of our tutors- going away party to America-Lubbock- to teach for 2 years. Tomorrow is the bullfight and we get to go to it! That should be interesting. Friday is LAGOS. Next week is the final, then Candy’s birthday, then off to MADRID for a week before catching my plane back to America. STILL IN SHOCK AT HOW FAST THE TIME IS PASSING AHHH so sad.
I definitely want to live here for 2 years or so after college and I’m going to make it happen. I’ve always dreamed of being in Spain for a while but after this experience, it’s on my to do list.
One of our tutors even told Caroline and I that she would keep an eye out for an apartment for us once we graduate college, so that’s a good sign haha I love it. I know this was long but there's just so much to say. There's SOOOO SO SO much I want to do while I'm young and so many dreams I want to accomplish and make come true. I have a lot of aspirations, and a lot of ambition, and with those combined, anything is possible to accomplish. Watch out world because here I come.
I definitely want to live here for 2 years or so after college and I’m going to make it happen. I’ve always dreamed of being in Spain for a while but after this experience, it’s on my to do list.
One of our tutors even told Caroline and I that she would keep an eye out for an apartment for us once we graduate college, so that’s a good sign haha I love it. I know this was long but there's just so much to say. There's SOOOO SO SO much I want to do while I'm young and so many dreams I want to accomplish and make come true. I have a lot of aspirations, and a lot of ambition, and with those combined, anything is possible to accomplish. Watch out world because here I come.
I’m not just living my life; I’m making my life story.
Believe that life is worth living
and your belief will help create the fact.
- William James
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