tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74197477242139865312024-03-05T14:03:11.896-08:00On Tapas the WorldPutting together the pieces of my own life puzzleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712690438604670846noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419747724213986531.post-73452831274710871022014-01-14T15:20:00.001-08:002014-01-17T01:01:42.993-08:00Imma Nut<div class="MsoNormal">
<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">~January 9, 2014~ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">I am slowly getting used to the apartment quirks -
minus the cold. I don’t remember the last time I was warm longer than a moment
in a metro station or a hot shower. Luckily, Nicole lent me a sleeping bag she
brought to lay on top of my thin comforter which helped a lot. I attended
another school sponsored tour this morning, this time a walking tour of the Barri Gòtic. Nicole and I left the
apartment early to try and find coffee near the meeting spot. We walked through
some plazas and down some cobblestone streets and found a generic bakery
with…food and coffee. We walked around a bit more and met up with the group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="">The tour was amazing. I
am not a history buff by any means. Actually, I’m usually not a fan at all but
this was incredible. For those interested, here is a very brief history lesson
from what I can remember. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="">The region of Spain I
am in is called Catalonia. Throughout history this area has always been very
desirable due to its natural port and distance from other European powers. The
Iberians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, and Moors all occupied the area for
varying amounts of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="">In the early 4<sup>th</sup>
century, a 13 year old girl, Saint Eulalia, stood up to the Romans for her
beliefs in Christianity and it took the Romans 13 gruesome attempts to kill
her. There were many references to Saint Eulalia, including 13 torches on the
alter in the cathedral, 13 geese in the outdoor part of the cathedral and
numerous small shrines tucked into various alleyways where other attempts to
kill her had occurred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a 1em="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04a5Sa0tCWFgofH0hGV5S2L_P3hyphenhyphenqBDvYeNj8bwyhuhCYm2kSH-UkmQDRyfcex0xAoGOI_rBZoQmXPjZK9xalbBsH0il4MakRYOcAvkkWMbbbSPh_o1kj6D27-X0t5DmKiiqgfxGY309m/s1600/DSC00034.JPG" imageanchor="1" margin-right:=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04a5Sa0tCWFgofH0hGV5S2L_P3hyphenhyphenqBDvYeNj8bwyhuhCYm2kSH-UkmQDRyfcex0xAoGOI_rBZoQmXPjZK9xalbBsH0il4MakRYOcAvkkWMbbbSPh_o1kj6D27-X0t5DmKiiqgfxGY309m/s320/DSC00034.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif=""> Then the Frankish Empire took control and used
the area as a buffer zone between the Moors and France. During the Middle Ages,
the counts of Barcelona were established and maintained by the Frankish Empire.
This is (I believe) where the story of the flag comes into play. There is some
speculation but we were informed that after a very important battle where one
of the counts had suffered life sustaining injuries, but had defeated the
enemies, he asked his second in command to ensure his death would not have been
for nothing. His number two stuck four fingers into his open wound and dragged
his bloody fingers across the gold shield. This is why Spaniards do not
consider their flag simply yellow and red, the colors of the flag represent the
gold of the shield and the deep red of the counts blood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a 1em="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YH6ExKrpMZyFRL4wa2y-UDQLQyAycnPE0C2Ha9gReIPXIE53E-KOA5mfS7xu6cBTykncS6o_wuuA3Isfb36qQTYV8wJf_siJqdjd9ivI0x7IuZ6t65c2Yfh4iDyFCGdqbY15YPwaFd_a/s1600/DSC00083.JPG" imageanchor="1" margin-right:=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YH6ExKrpMZyFRL4wa2y-UDQLQyAycnPE0C2Ha9gReIPXIE53E-KOA5mfS7xu6cBTykncS6o_wuuA3Isfb36qQTYV8wJf_siJqdjd9ivI0x7IuZ6t65c2Yfh4iDyFCGdqbY15YPwaFd_a/s320/DSC00083.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" roman="" serif="">After some time, there
was a separation between Catalonia and France; however they remained on good
terms. Because of this, there were a number of marriages between the different
kingdoms which created unification and a larger kingdom. The best example of
this is the marriage of </span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">King </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Ferdinand II of Aragon</span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> and Queen </span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Isabella I of Castile</span>
which we have all learned about at some point in our lives. Ferdinand and
Isabella were the ones who funded Christopher Columbus to sail to the Americas.
We saw the very doorway he walked through when he returned from his expedition.
During the Spanish Civil War, Francisco Franco along with the help of Hitler
and Musulini, established a dictatorship. However, in the process, Spain
witnessed firsthand the initial use of large scale bombings as well as civilian
casualties. One of the greatest visible demonstrations of the destruction
visible even to this day was at the small church tucked away in Plaça de Sant Felip Neri where they
had been sheltering the children. They dropped a bomb in the center of
the church and had tanks waiting outside to finish off any children who could
and did indeed run out. The artillery marks on the stone are there as a
testament to this tragic event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">There was also a tremendous amount of architectural
history. The architecture in Barcelona is absolutely breathtaking but I don’t
even know where to begin. I just hope if you are intrigued, you can find a way
to visit the area yourself someday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">After the tour finished, Nicole and I strolled down
a nearby street to get lunch and stopped in a little Irish Bar. With a full
belly and new found energy, that afternoon I was able to finish unpacking my
things. It was nice to have a little me time, organize my things and make my
room feel a bit more like home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">We continue to learn things about the apartment. We
have gotten a crash course on using the washing machine and location of the
thermostat (CRITICAL). The thermostat had been set to 15°C (equivalent to
approximately 50°F) – no wonder I was FREEZING! After we figured out the heat,
I was glued to the radiators that were now cranking. I am not sure exactly what
it was, maybe being cold, tired, and hungry, but I had not been feeling well. I
went to the nearest market I could find to get some comforting food staples:
salami, cheese, yogurt, oats, apples, soymilk, and PEANUT BUTTER!! I was the
happiest person in the world when I saw that. However, it was a 300g jar for €6
which is about $8. Anybody who knows me really well understands my peanut
butter addiction and sees the warning signs. It’s a good bet that I will be
spending the majority of my ‘fun money’ on peanut butter unless some of you
fine folks want to help a sister out ;).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif=""><br /></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">*IMPORTANT: I gave you the address to my apartment on my first post in case you wanted to send me letters, pictures, or peanut butter if you really love me - However, you should send it to my program office instead otherwise I may never get it. And that's no bueno for anyone :)</span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">So <u><b>New Address (I think):</b></u></span></div>
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<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">Nicole Bajka</span><br />
<span 115="" 12pt="" font-size:="" imes="" line-height:="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif="">ISA Barcelona</span></div>
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08010 Barcelona, Spain<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712690438604670846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419747724213986531.post-2303737417249723982014-01-14T15:01:00.001-08:002014-01-14T15:02:45.095-08:00White Girl Problems Edition I (Because I have a good feeling there will be more)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~January 8, 2014~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few quirky things I quickly came to realize about
the apartment/my room while trying to catch some shut eye during my first
night. #1 My room is EXTREMELY cold #2 When the metro passes underneath the
building the floor shakes and #3 Walls and paper thin here. I am sure there
will be more surprises as my experience continues. Needless to say, I needed
some caffeine and food pronto before the morning academic meeting. Luckily
there was a Starbucks (don’t judge my inner white girl) right on the corner of
the designated meeting spot so I got a Chai Tea Latte with a shot of espresso.
Nice kick start and I finally started to warm my core temp up too. The meetings
covered academics, housing, and the cultural excursions that were planned. In the
afternoon, there was a city bus tour organized for us that lasted for a couple
hours. We drove around Barcelona through several different areas and then up to
the top of Montjuic. The views were incredible and the tour made me that much
more interested and excited to go exploring on my own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBmv64ebl4agiKQsVDlhGI4Ul9MUwgRjVhb4WLn52xrNTUn0HVyA7M3pvvE92On0mCL453dRFEaZMM2lmM9BltUN5B4_VfK1GmmmIo-AD8TETF7pvLzfAT1N4b-WvdOd-YdRkqT2dxWrk/s1600/20140108_155351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBmv64ebl4agiKQsVDlhGI4Ul9MUwgRjVhb4WLn52xrNTUn0HVyA7M3pvvE92On0mCL453dRFEaZMM2lmM9BltUN5B4_VfK1GmmmIo-AD8TETF7pvLzfAT1N4b-WvdOd-YdRkqT2dxWrk/s320/20140108_155351.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the city from Montjuic</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o9UAyT9yyReQ_Z-V-vLgWb8iadsXyfXeCqw27QOJRaoA-5k4wrS951sZrnhIghMRlQnCWgSEeIRx0UClNIgUzDT6F-V2i21v8ygGWGVb6L-GGKncJqbuPEXhHf_YFtJf3oiAc2w9nl0U/s1600/20140108_155843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o9UAyT9yyReQ_Z-V-vLgWb8iadsXyfXeCqw27QOJRaoA-5k4wrS951sZrnhIghMRlQnCWgSEeIRx0UClNIgUzDT6F-V2i21v8ygGWGVb6L-GGKncJqbuPEXhHf_YFtJf3oiAc2w9nl0U/s320/20140108_155843.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the magnificent port from Montjuic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">At the end of my ‘school day,’ I met Sam for dinner
right up the street from my apartment. We got a few different things to try: a
tapas sampler (patatas bravas, king prawns, croquettes, and prosciutto) as well
as paella, and veal with parmesan. Patatas bravas are a very popular item here
– they are lightly fried potatoes with a spicy cream sauce. Prawns are very
common being on the sea, but they always come fully dressed aka eyeballs, legs,
the whole shebang. Croquettes are little fried balls of shredded chicken more
or less. Prosciutto is well prosciutto. Spain, particularly the coastal region
is best known for paella. It originates from Valencia and consists of rice with
saffron and meat or seafood and vegetables. The veal p</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">armesan</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> was delicious but not what we expected. The thinly sliced pieces of meat were raw or possibly
cured (hard to tell and difficult to ask given the language barrier).
Nonetheless, it was good and we tried something new. We were absolutely stuffed
and stayed at the restaurant for several hours just relaxing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Peace, Love & Happiness,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Nicole </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">XOXO</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712690438604670846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419747724213986531.post-74839989928436516812014-01-14T14:26:00.002-08:002014-01-14T14:53:56.194-08:00And So It Begins<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~January 7, 2014~ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I woke up this morning after a rough night’s sleep
because of my never-ending ‘Taken’ type dreams. I collected myself and packed
up my belongings because it was finally the big day when I officially begin my
study abroad experience and move into my apartment. With a backpack full of
personal belongings I made the trek to the designated plaza where I was
supposed to be meeting with my program coordinators and be escorted to my
apartment. Somehow, in my overzealous state, I arrived to said plaza an hour
before the scheduled meeting time. Dun Dun Dun. Commence daunting music to go
with an overwhelming sense of panic as all the warnings people had given me
before I departed danced through my head. Fortunately, the panic quickly faded
when I sat on a bench and let the warm sun calm my nerves. The location of the
bench was perfect because I could people watch like a champ. About 10 minutes
prior to the designated meeting time, Nicole (my roommate and fellow ASU Sun
Devil) along with her mom, Rose, walked up and we small talked. After stumbling
around the plaza finding the correct group, we were placed on a bus and
escorted to our new home! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuMvWAESKYFdkekcTM9daIClkhvBIcTRWAjRfRUJeRHV4hXNRuIW7VJpk0yRJxRur6LL5NKRJmegxILe3g3IXANZg0s5GzK4KrP2_eGCszhmoxG3wbwW7PePsFoBV_6nKYyCOWmf87-YY/s1600/1601093_10152226308925839_1565306505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuMvWAESKYFdkekcTM9daIClkhvBIcTRWAjRfRUJeRHV4hXNRuIW7VJpk0yRJxRur6LL5NKRJmegxILe3g3IXANZg0s5GzK4KrP2_eGCszhmoxG3wbwW7PePsFoBV_6nKYyCOWmf87-YY/s320/1601093_10152226308925839_1565306505_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah! Finally the wait is over :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We saw the inside of our apartment for the first
time and it was a dream come true; love at first sight; the whole enchilada;
everything and more then I could have ever wished for. The narrow white marble
staircase that I had seen from peeking in the day before circled all the way up
with a small lift (elevator) going up the center. Our heavy wooden door with
gold detailing opened up into a charming, bright, entryway. To the right there
was a nice living room area with couches, two French doors opening out to the
patio overlooking the busy street below, and a teeny-tiny typical European
kitchen with a small table. To the left of the entryway, there was a long
hallway with one bathroom and one washroom on one side, and three bedrooms (2
single, 1 double) as well as a good sized study room on the other. Nicole and I
flipped a coin to pick between the single rooms. I ended up at the far end of
the hall. The room has a little twin bed, a couple tables, a bookcase, a large
armoire, and a large wooden desk with windows all behind it. Unfortunately the
windows are heavily frosted because they look to the backs of other apartment
buildings where everyone is drying their laundry but it provides natural light
and I am very happy with my room.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlluUaDHT06HemUkVNBjdTKAo1fDft2ISoq8LDN-iHkNNbPX-WZ4MTr5kdvhtcWhyoGMocF5UKtIlhgFReAs19ZHPNp-L0V6X88rdXhCUvTIOkCrqOIoMuiv8ipljmgmixvqPJ1A7Wah2/s1600/1003046_10152226309360839_58738815_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlluUaDHT06HemUkVNBjdTKAo1fDft2ISoq8LDN-iHkNNbPX-WZ4MTr5kdvhtcWhyoGMocF5UKtIlhgFReAs19ZHPNp-L0V6X88rdXhCUvTIOkCrqOIoMuiv8ipljmgmixvqPJ1A7Wah2/s320/1003046_10152226309360839_58738815_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We couldn't contain our excitement</td></tr>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I unpacked some of the things I had shoved in my
backpack earlier that morning and then met up with Sam to get my other two
monster bags from the hotel. We struggled with the heavy bags all the way to
the metro, on the metro, and on the walk back to the apartment building. I’m so
lucky Sam was willing to help me because I was already sore and sweaty! A short
while after my room was thoroughly covered with my belongings as I unpacked,
our remaining two roommates, Alex and Shanna arrived. They had come directly
from the airport and are both from Pennsylvania and know each other from
school. The four of us went through introductions and then we let them get some
rest and prep their rooms (Shanna transformed the study into another single
room).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmoKn38Jlmb2qU7x8tsgRk1oXqG7YII0nuh4fnw6QKt6W2r7NFhnfXRwHF2PdTP7oLdXh6Fg2A3rE0XmJWpR30JIDkiMBrQWZmBimKZAL_SkfyCJLZwDVqfs3MToUwwTFqayunhNcLPhV/s1600/1549506_10152226689955839_306420358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmoKn38Jlmb2qU7x8tsgRk1oXqG7YII0nuh4fnw6QKt6W2r7NFhnfXRwHF2PdTP7oLdXh6Fg2A3rE0XmJWpR30JIDkiMBrQWZmBimKZAL_SkfyCJLZwDVqfs3MToUwwTFqayunhNcLPhV/s320/1549506_10152226689955839_306420358_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls from apartemento 1a </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That evening all newly arrived students were
required to go a meeting. While this may sound simple enough, the group
consisted of approximately 180 students. We were instructed to meet at a
specific intersection across from a specific metro stop. From there we were led
to our final destination, our large group meandering through the streets and
across intersections. I think we
resembled a line of ants marching to an ant hill. The meeting was informative
but we were all tired and hungry so afterwards we found my roommate Nicole’s
mom (Rose) and all hunted for dinner together. We found a lovely little place,
ate a nice meal, and then Rose treated all four girls (roommates) to our first
gelato. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hH7GFmy73R4o8JgrQHyyhLocSJV-ZFUDMIVmTbknff6Xw2uayfML4R1J9xauJ3hqeYySKljMnoeGMYpcosFbhaTQKiCNLlZp91UodNmNvTTe-IIWO-km9VqJ3XeqLmfniIVr9ddZtwRG/s1600/994077_10152227632465839_1226719337_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hH7GFmy73R4o8JgrQHyyhLocSJV-ZFUDMIVmTbknff6Xw2uayfML4R1J9xauJ3hqeYySKljMnoeGMYpcosFbhaTQKiCNLlZp91UodNmNvTTe-IIWO-km9VqJ3XeqLmfniIVr9ddZtwRG/s320/994077_10152227632465839_1226719337_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of many 'family' dinners ( + 'Mom' of course)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Peace, Love & Happiness,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nicole</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XOXO</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712690438604670846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419747724213986531.post-86570162972239134782014-01-14T14:24:00.001-08:002014-01-14T14:46:16.426-08:00A Little Sunshine Goes A Long Way<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~January 6, 2014~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After a good nights sleep in my new home, a warm
shower, and some McCafe from the main train station, Sam and I began the
daunting task of tackling the metro. After a little observation we got the hang
of it! First stop was to my future apartment building. After getting off the
metro, it was a long walk later before we found ourselves in front of a
beautiful older apartment building and I felt as if I was standing in an old
movie set. Sandwiched in between other apartment buildings with coffee shops
and restaurants on the ground level; was my future home. It had beautiful wrought
iron and as I stood in front of the glass entry, I found myself staring at a
white marble entryway and white marble stairs. I got major butterflies. I had
not even seen my apartment yet and I knew I was going to love where I lived. It
seemed like the perfect place to live out my Spanish fairy tale.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8NJc_O11muzGWcgB71BaVhXf9udiKdmR6GT1lKeeb6pF9XHZUVHxt5S7ax8zlepaxBnGtArpz3WP-JqQfQYwn9u0WDrYCAJICK-KpIPSUn8kIuiizWDHVubrND287FzvriOrgaFkEUJK/s1600/20140106_115126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8NJc_O11muzGWcgB71BaVhXf9udiKdmR6GT1lKeeb6pF9XHZUVHxt5S7ax8zlepaxBnGtArpz3WP-JqQfQYwn9u0WDrYCAJICK-KpIPSUn8kIuiizWDHVubrND287FzvriOrgaFkEUJK/s320/20140106_115126.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We only got a little lost on the metro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From there, we proceeded to find a couple of the
plazas where I would be meeting my program coordinators over the next couple of
days. It was quite a bit of walking. We could have used the metro but we
enjoyed being outside in the fresh air with the sun shining down on us. After
getting oriented at the two plazas, we decided to go check Sam into his hostel
and plan the rest of the afternoon. It was decided that we would walk down Las
Ramblas, a very famous strip of markets and such that leads down to the Marina.
Las Ramblas…flower vendors, souvenir tents, handmade arts and crafts, street
performers, restaurants…a plethora of smell, taste and culture on one
cobblestone street slanting downward gradually leading you to the water. The
marina is the vast expanse of piers and with huge sailboat masts – just about
as far as the eye could see. It was absolutely astounding how much hustle and
bustle there was. The sun was shining and it was warm and bright and the sky
was so so blue…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0lRjiA4R0u5dRVUteEOdK5TLxObF51SO9OQbnTReZ0OeIuvpb1gTJwxe3AIqfmFrwDsGsU-UOx76_L0xPRSqPYyP4WJ4q-hIhkHHW0Vf1gwGhVAInOsTwzQJ1far9Dk9jeNF-srqbVOe/s1600/20140106_160625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0lRjiA4R0u5dRVUteEOdK5TLxObF51SO9OQbnTReZ0OeIuvpb1gTJwxe3AIqfmFrwDsGsU-UOx76_L0xPRSqPYyP4WJ4q-hIhkHHW0Vf1gwGhVAInOsTwzQJ1far9Dk9jeNF-srqbVOe/s320/20140106_160625.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where I fell in love with the city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The marina was mesmerizing to me. Staring out over
the water I realized that this was going to be my home for the next few months,
and I felt genuinely happy about it. Actually I couldn’t stop smiling – there
was a new bounce in my step and butterflies (the good kind) in my stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sam and I decided to try and do an early dinner
(about 5:00 – which is an absurd concept to Spaniards) so now we just had to
find a suitable place. We settled on one that had ‘patio seating’ (meaning a
tented area with heaters underneath – very very common in Spain) midway up Las
Ramblas. I ordered a Sangria and Sole while Sam ordered a Grande Cerveza and
Paella. It was the first real meal we had had in days and it was a wonderful
way to end the day. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Peace, Love & Happiness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nicole</span><br />
XOXO</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712690438604670846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419747724213986531.post-77026779629528113772014-01-14T08:19:00.001-08:002014-01-17T01:05:41.698-08:00It’s All A Blur<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: ;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">~January 3-5, 2014~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Buenos from Barcelona! So I have just (rather
successfully I might add) experienced my first two days in this magical city;
but let’s rewind too many hours ago and recap beginning with January 3<sup>rd</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Friday, January 3<sup>rd</sup>…yes, it was my
last full day in my home country. Reality hitting, overwhelming stress
commencing, and emotions flowing – that pretty much sums up the day – and on
top of that, everything that could go wrong, did indeed go wrong. Surprise,
surprise; I know. Health insurance provider creating an overwhelming bureaucracy
and ultimately denying your request for a 5 month supply of prescription meds.
This result after calling ahead 2 weeks, asking for the specific procedure to
accomplish this acquisition of medication, and then following their specific
instructions. Add to that waiting on hold every time I make a call for
assistance/information, getting the worlds slowest checkers at every check-out,
and ultimately getting devastating news about your neighbors health (surrogate
grandfather) etc. etc. I feel like that is always the way it goes. I know
everyone has had one of these days and can relate to my level of pain and
frustration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">To top off the exhaustion from the hectic day,
after Sam was dropped off (my trustee travel partner for the first several days
I am in Spain), I proceeded to finish my last minute packing that ultimately
required I pull an all-nighter (not all that difficult since the departure time
was 7 am out of SFO).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">At 1 am I proceed to enjoy my obligatory
shower (wake-up call), threw my stuff in the car, and tried to let the nagging
feeling of forgetting important things go as we drove down the driveway. I
slept pretty much the whole way to the airport and looked all refreshed and
rejuvenated upon arrival [NOT]! Bloodshot and baggy eyes, uncombed hair, and
lovely pillow scars from sleeping against the car window was how I was going to
start my journey. Oh and that extra $100 for checking a second bag was the
final insult. What happened to the good ol’ days of checking two bags free with
an international flight??<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHpM3j2tBSwTvksJHvSMr6Ac3jyKCowntEo_PIlAW4cHkMQUjOQiq09GdSyTGvJhIgAsZcQvRkzc-U0Q7vUlDJvIfRDPKWj3BIsECCMSrM-o21x1CF0FvjlbdB2owKAFdWvHI9KQVSMMh/s1600/DSC00664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHpM3j2tBSwTvksJHvSMr6Ac3jyKCowntEo_PIlAW4cHkMQUjOQiq09GdSyTGvJhIgAsZcQvRkzc-U0Q7vUlDJvIfRDPKWj3BIsECCMSrM-o21x1CF0FvjlbdB2owKAFdWvHI9KQVSMMh/s320/DSC00664.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready or not - Here I come!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV4R-2SprTdGJboGKO-Tgn80ESjozwdjMWLie129wzRadXMZg7SAryJ9SnOc9qXSaZx9J8F0olAPtNUTpsjy8wVQRN75FWsEtWHJTQSrWL6pUIO9diYPME_WtWzGE51S17AspsW6En7-K/s1600/DSC00665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV4R-2SprTdGJboGKO-Tgn80ESjozwdjMWLie129wzRadXMZg7SAryJ9SnOc9qXSaZx9J8F0olAPtNUTpsjy8wVQRN75FWsEtWHJTQSrWL6pUIO9diYPME_WtWzGE51S17AspsW6En7-K/s320/DSC00665.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear I know what I'm doing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXef5yYrFanKIg4hH7OKt3F-cIW2EN-HmPLF-SzRhTa15K17o20XYKuje7wqdjnOPk6u-i6IToX5cIFgBslvnfw-kANJQ_E6fRyKrLsxyFudztRlBDl-0IlHzn5BSJDoht5RAINCrq0rEN/s1600/DSC00667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXef5yYrFanKIg4hH7OKt3F-cIW2EN-HmPLF-SzRhTa15K17o20XYKuje7wqdjnOPk6u-i6IToX5cIFgBslvnfw-kANJQ_E6fRyKrLsxyFudztRlBDl-0IlHzn5BSJDoht5RAINCrq0rEN/s320/DSC00667.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two greatest role models and teachers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Soon after checking in, we headed for the
dreaded security check. Security was a hoot since my parents were going back
and forth along the barricade with us waving, taking pictures, and blowing
kisses at every turn or when there was a gap between people’s heads. Of course
I did it back! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Slept pretty much the whole long, cold flight
from SFO to JFK with little intermissions to take part in the beverage service
or relieve my bladder. Flying into New York was breathtaking! I had really been
stressing that we would be stuck there with all the recent severe weather on
the news. Instead, it was a beautiful blue sky with scattered wispy clouds and
bright sun beaming down on a blanket of fresh white snow everywhere. I don’t
know how to describe it, but it almost made me want to just stay there instead
of getting on another plane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Next flight from JFK to BCN included more poor
quality sleep and restless legs intermixed with the movie ‘Wolverine’ and 2
Gluten Free ‘meals.’ When we landed in Barcelona, it was 6:30
am local time and still pitch black outside. We probably looked like
zombies trudging to the baggage claim area but Hallelujah. We. Had. Arrived.
Surprisingly, so had our luggage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">We regrouped in the airport until the sun came
up, then grabbed a taxi and headed for the hotel. The goal was to see if the
hotel would hold our luggage for us until we could check in; instead they let
us check in at 8:00 am! Wow, must be karma. I don’t know what I did to
deserve that but I promise I will try each and every day to be a better person!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">I took a much needed shower, a little catnap,
and then ventured out (mind you, it’s still only 10 am). There was a
beautiful park right next door so we headed that direction and continued with
the intention of braving the city. I really had no idea where I was going, my
sense of direction was seriously lacking given my level of sleep deprivation,
so we just walked and walked and walked for several hours trying to get a feel
for this beautiful city. I feared if I sat down I would fall asleep where I sat
until the next day. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY3y2v5fVVQy4JARtkF2Lb41x7WUkKJC34XhQfXi49fGIJ2a2nYYts7ugZjKOHY7EBWycvUwtDKhmyycfClhxhFGnGM1jY8CNPKqCc8a1ZB0omnaFzFmJI7__7PXrgrNkIv0X5ZgZLlSe/s1600/20140105_115721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY3y2v5fVVQy4JARtkF2Lb41x7WUkKJC34XhQfXi49fGIJ2a2nYYts7ugZjKOHY7EBWycvUwtDKhmyycfClhxhFGnGM1jY8CNPKqCc8a1ZB0omnaFzFmJI7__7PXrgrNkIv0X5ZgZLlSe/s320/20140105_115721.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little gem we stumbled upon right outside the hotel.<br />
Who would'a thought I was in the heart of a big city?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">As many of you may know, I am known for having
a much delayed reaction to big events. So walking along the streets, getting a
lot of weird looks, realizing this was going to be my home for the next 5
months and I wasn’t going to see my family for the same amount of time really
started to hit me. It was an overcast day and my mood matched it perfectly.
While taking another little nap in the hotel that afternoon, we realized the
commotion we could hear out on the street was from a Christmas parade street
directly below us. So we layered up and ran down to check it out. There was
also a carnival right by the park next to the hotel with so many lights and
sounds – for a moment I thought my little tired head might explode! We wandered
around the same streets again, this time all the Holiday lights along the
street were lit and there was a small market nearby. I finally messaged home
for a bit (realizing how homesick I was) then allowed myself some real sleep.
First real sleep in 36 hours! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Peace, Love & Happiness,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Nicole</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">XOXO</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712690438604670846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419747724213986531.post-55096981242126945822014-01-02T14:45:00.000-08:002014-01-02T17:07:41.388-08:00Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude<div class="MsoNormal">
~January 2, 2014~<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well Happy New Year I guess! I rang in the New Year in Squaw
Valley senior style this year. After the traditional dinner of honey baked ham
with potatoes and sour cherry soup, I plopped myself down on the couch with my
parents and watched the oh so appropriate pre-travel-departure-movie-of-all-time
‘Taken’. Moral of the story – don’t talk to cute foreign boys, don’t share a
cab, don’t have friends that are overly friendly and stupid at the same time, and
have a really bad ass dad; check, check, check, check. I celebrated New Years
on New York time and was in bed and asleep before 11:00. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Honestly, I am glad 2013 is behind me. Not that there was
anything particularly bad about it – it was just one of those long years that
ended in an odd number and I am not a huge fan of odd numbers. I have high
hopes for 2014 though. I am 20 years young, and starting the New Year in
Barcelona, Spain – a place I have been enchanted with my whole life. I plan to strengthen my sense of ‘independence’
and do a little ‘soul searching’ along the way during my five month adventure.
For some reason I thought it would be best to accomplish this in a foreign
country.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The last few weeks have been incredibly hectic and
overwhelming with finishing school, visiting with friends and family, the
HOLIDAYS, and trying to pack while never being home. I guess it’s about time
reality hit; I will be on a plane to Barcelona in less than 48 hours to spend
the next five months studying and traveling around Europe. Woah. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedRgK48BJzC9KZLEBbEyo5TLAUOA3FoGJ5eexLSI1r6-zk1eBnZFqxTG5kkNE3AmJPeGSjqQuObPEHzgCo_P-m4jRlo5ncmBb1oCVWoUY6nzOfshhG6J-I_IiuOFPnlZI4qVb5JYs-v84/s1600/20131222_153418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedRgK48BJzC9KZLEBbEyo5TLAUOA3FoGJ5eexLSI1r6-zk1eBnZFqxTG5kkNE3AmJPeGSjqQuObPEHzgCo_P-m4jRlo5ncmBb1oCVWoUY6nzOfshhG6J-I_IiuOFPnlZI4qVb5JYs-v84/s320/20131222_153418.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partway through the take-over of our house while<br />
unpacking my AZ things and repacking for Spain. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Well I am happy I got this blog thing up and running, but I best
be getting back to figuring out phones, transportation, making sure I have all
the paperwork I need, working on my basic Spanish, and the list goes on and on.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy New Year! Cross your fingers I make my 7:00 am flight
out of SFO Saturday. The next time you will hear from me I will be in Barcelona!
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Peace, Love & Happiness,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Nicole <o:p></o:p></div>
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XOXO</div>
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<br /></div>
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P.S. To all my family and friends, my apartment address is:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Nicole Bajka</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Avda. Paral.lel 186, Entlo. 1ª</div>
<div class="survey-answer" style="text-align: center;">
08015 Barcelona, Spain</div>
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(hint, hint, please feel free to write me letters from the homeland, send pictures, and there would be no opposition to the occasional treats from home) </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712690438604670846noreply@blogger.com1