Mi Amor Barcelona

I do. I love Barcelona. It's such a cool mix of urban and culture and the nightlife is insane! I won't go into details but everyone can be rest assured that we are being very, very safe. One of the girls I'm here with, Kat...she's like Heather (she would look both ways for sheep too) Yesterday we did a bus tour of the north half of Barcelona and today we're doing the South Tour....which means it is on the beach. Talk about my cup of tea!!

So in Italy, the so called language barrier was basically non existent because everyone spoke English...not here. And I am bit disappointed in the lack of Spanish that stuck with me through four years of trying (and clearly failing) to learn Spanish...i know vocab and probably construct sentences like a second grader, a second grader with bad grammar! And that's not good at all. But it's an experience and I am loving every moment of it!

Here are some pictures:

The Magic Fountain Show....i think it beats Vegas

La Rambla at Night

Kat, Alex, and I in front of Palau Reial

The Beaches of Barcelona...too cold!

The view from the top of Teleferic Montjuic

Port Vell at night

Our Last night: Taller de Tapas

Puttin my hand in the Mediterrania

Going for a stroll the last morning (thats the colom in the background)

We were realaxing on the docks

Turkey Day!

My flatmates and I made Thanksgiving dinner. Not gonna lie- it was pretty legit. Exceeding our expectations by miles. I made my favorite Thanksgiving dish- yams with brown sugar and marshmallows. The rest of them were impressed, but knowing how my grandma and mommy make them....it just wasn't the same. I had to go to class, after dinner, which was a bummer, but dessert was awaiting once we returned. Talk about the longest class ever!

The nights gotten longer, as I must go to sleep immediately considering that I need to wake up in 4 1/2 hours to head of to Barcelona!!! And you know what that means!!!


Pictures and stories are coming soon!!

In the meantime, have a really happy Thanksgiving, I mean it. Be happy. Because we all have things to be thankful for. Take this day to remember what you're thankful for, I know I did.


Eat Turkey and Enjoy Each Other!

One month left

Reality check- I fly home in a month. Exactly a month from today I will be on a plane headed home, and I can't help but smile every time I think about it. Buuuut, that means there's a lot of things I still want to do here, and time's running out. This past week's been really fun-filled; I'm trying to go into Central as often as I can- even if it's just for a walk along the Thames. I went and saw Zorro the Musical last Tuesday, and it was awesome, then I get to see Billy Elliot this Tuesday. Both of those are very exciting, but the most exciting part is that I'm going to Barcelona next weekend! Alex, Kat, and I are spending four days, hopefully filled with sandy beaches, Spanish dancing, and margaritas! Okay, I guess we're looking forward to the culture stuff there too, but having a break from the cold, London weather will be absolutely magnificent!!
What am I doing? It's actually a nice day out, so why am I sitting here on the computer? I'm going to go out for a run, then maybe head in to one of the parks in Central. Sound good? Good.

Back to normal

Not that me living in London is exactly normal, but it's as normal as can be right now. Since I got back from Italy I've relaxed...a lot. As exciting as Italy was, it's rather exhausting having to be constantly aware and on guard. Travelling made me tired, so it feels good to be home, as much of a "home" as this can be without the people I love. Getting off the plane in London was one of the weirdest emotions I have ever experienced I don't even think I can begin to try to explain. Conflicted. I was really conflicted. I love London and I absolutely love my classes, the people, the surroundings. But I love you all more. Coming down the escalator at London, Gatwick reminded me how much I cannot wait for the day that I come down the escalator at LAX and get to see my family again, and hear their voices, and give them presents!

I only have three and half more weeks of school and five more weeks in London. There's still so much I want to do, so much more I could do. It's just been really odd, being at the half way point. But this is where I am....and this is where I'm happy to be.

10 days in Italy!!

Ummm, life's amazing. What a blessing it has been to have had such amazing opportunities! My flatmate and I got to travel through Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Venice with so much relaxation and so little stress, I didn't think it was possible. I won't even try to simplify my trip into one simple blog, because it would be impossible. But I can't wait to share stories and pictures! Trust, there's a lot. Because I have such an immense amount of pictures to sift through I will post some asap.

Coming back to London has kind of been a whirlwind- being thrusted back into business ((well, as business as it gets here)) The first night I was back, CIEE organized for us to go on the London Eye which began as the most hectic ordeal of my life ((I never thought I would have to do sprints in Italian leather boots......a story for another time)) but the night turned out to be amazing. We went on the Eye and seeing the city all lit up from so high above was awesome. Then three of us went to dinner and went for a walk along the Thames. Which because it is officially Christmas time ((it's not like British people celebrate Thanksgiving! lol)), the trees are all lit up; Christmas decorations are up and starbucks is on their holiday menu!!! Life is good.

Here's a very small taste of the pictures that I took ((prior to my camera dying! so I still need to get the pictures from alex from the rest of the trip))

((so this is the colosseum))


((and this is us eating some pizza in front of the colosseum))

((Here's 5/6 of our flat in front of the Trevi Fountain))

((And this, my friends, is the Trevi))

((3 coins: first for a quick return, second for love, third for marriage))

((The Vatican's a popular place))

((So this is us waiting in line))

((I understand why it's such a popular place))

((The mural of geniuses))

((I'm a thinker!))

((St. Peter's Basillica))

((We're in the freaking Colosseum!))

((Made me want to watch Gladiator real bad))

((me and alex))

((taking a drink on Palatine Hill))

((alex is playing hide-and-seek, apparently))

((Umm, amazing.))

((walking through the Forum))

((View from the Spanish Steps))

((Piazza di Spagna))

((leatttther in Florence))

((hey, lets go check it out!))

((The Duomo))

((The East Doors of the Baptistry))

...so obviously there's a ton more pictures, but my camera died mid florence.

so Bologna and Venice pictures are still to come.

On to Italy

I leave for Italy in eight hours! Which means I need to be up in five....which means I should probably be in bed right about now, which is just what I plan to do in about five minutes. But first I wanted to thank everyone for their tips and advice. I am super excited for the trip, on the Itinerary: Rome, Florence, Bologna, then Venice. And I'll be home on the 11th. I love you all!!