The last day...

Today's my last day in Sevilla, I leave tomorrow for London which I'm so excited about! I have officially been away from home for 4 months and not one letter or mail from friends at home, thanks guys...Life is that busy huh? ;) But Joanna, thanks for all the support! I can't wait until I get to see Venessa, we're going to have one hell of a trip! Sevilla you have treated me well, 'hasta luego'...& that's a promise!

Plaza de Espana & Alcazar

So I just wanted to share a few pics from random spots I guess, here in Sevilla.

One week left...

It's official, a week from today I'll be flying out to London to meet my best friend Venessa! It also means that I have one week here left is Spain. It's crazy to think that these four months have gone by like the blink of an eye. My experience here has been so amazing and sometimes it's hard to describe what I've exactly been through. I feel so blessed to have been able to come here and I'm trying to soak in my last week. The weather is picking up too so I'll be able to wear those dresses that have been tucked away in the dresser for so long. You would think that by this time in Spain it would be appropriate to wear "summer" clothing but the weather hasn't been good to me! So just in case you're wondering what my travel plans are to follow starting next week...here's the agenda:

• London (5 days)
• Dublin (2 days)
• Amsterdam (2days)
• Barcelona (2 days)
• Athens (3 days)
• Rome (3 days)
• Prague (3 days)
• Poland & cities within (13 days)

Ah, I am so excited I can't wait! And I'm so anxious to see my bestie and am so glad I get to go through this experience with her!

Seeing black & red...

So here is an example of the infamous Flamenco dresses here in Sevilla. I don't have much time to write but I wanted to post a few pictures. Even though we didn't get a chance to wear these dresses to Feria (a big festival here that was about two weeks ago), our senora let us try them on to take some pictures...wow, so considerate huh? She could've at least let us try them on when Feria was actually going on...hmm..oh well...Oh, and the girl in the white is my roommate Vanessa.

Take the time...

I've realized that sometimes you just have to stop and simply enjoy your life. It's really a beautiful thing you know...

Having a good day...

So I've been freaking out about my grades here in Spain, mostly because they transfer over to my university back at home, I don't have the pass/fail option. Yesterday I had a test for my immigration class and I think I did pretty well because I knew how to answer each question...so during that time I was feeling pretty good. My class right after that is my politics class. We had taken a test last week on Friday and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to pass it and I'm being serious here. Dun dun dun...I got it back yesterday and...an A-!!! You don't understand how happy I was! So now I'm a little relieved and have faith that I can earn higher grades than what I was expecting. Unfortunately right now I'm writing a 6-page paper that is due tomorrow so I've got to go!

School always ruins it...

So, I am so overwhelmed with homework, I feel just the same way as I would back at home. Two big papers due, test tomorrow, presentation Friday, and of course finals in two weeks. It's hard enough doing this at home but come on, abroad too? Haha, I need to suck it up and make sure I finish my papers soon so I can enjoy my very short time that I have left here. On a good note, my best friend and I have booked all of our flights within Europe (well she did most of the work and you don't want to know what the total was at the end...) I seriously can't wait until I see her, just about 3 more weeks and we get to be reunited!

Feria pics...

So I didn't realize I had already uploaded some pics of Feria, enjoy!

Madrid & Toledo

So my trip to Madrid was fun, although I didn't get to see too much. Personally I really liked it, different from Sevilla but I like that city. I really don't think it's as busy as everyone makes it sound it to be but maybe it's because I was just visiting the city. Either way it was a good trip. I got to see the Prado and Reina Sofia museum which I really liked (like I said before, even though I'm not an art person, it was AMAZING. The Prado Museum was so huge it was overwhelming, I was done after about an hour and a half. I have to admit, I'm really getting to like Picasso's work. We also went to the Botanic Garden, it was nice but Chicago's Botanic Garden is the shit, it has no competition :) And I also walked around a lot, just to take in the city. Our day trip to Toledo was OK, not as great as everyone told me it would be. Yes, the city of Don Quijote, but otherwise, I wasn't in love with it. Today I'm hitting up the Feria which is literally a block away from our apartment, so convenient I tell you! I swear the flamenco dresses of the women here are beyond explanation with words. So beautiful. Seeing them walking on the street for the week has still not gotten old. I'll post pictures of the Feria soon, I promise:)

Next week's agenda.

Just thought I'd update you guys on my agenda for next this week. Tomorrow I have a test then I'm free:) Tuesday I'm planning to go to Toledo, about a 4 hour bus drive from Madrid. The same day we're planning to return to Madrid and stay in a hostel. Wednesday all day in Madrid and once again spend the night there. And Thursday and Friday I'll be in Valencia which I'm so so so excited about! But for now it's a powerpoint presentation, two 8-page papers, short essay, and tons of reading to focus on right now. Pray that I'll get through this!

Rhonda

Yesterday my friend and I decided to go to Rhonda, a city outside of Spain. It was a two hour bus ride and only 21 euro roundtrip, yay. We decided to mostly wander the city, take pictures, and enjoy the amazing views. It was so worth it! The region was very hilly so we got a great workout, trust me, I feel it today:) I'll just show you some pictures and you can judge for yourself.

Doing some research...

So it's Wednesday and I'm working on some homework, traveling plans, and future school plans. So much to do! But on a side note, I've been thinking about how excited I am to see 'Sex and the City' with my sis when I get back home, so excited! The previews look good! So in one week I'll be in Madrid, I can't wait. But figuring out traveling plans takes so much work, it sucks. Yes...I know, I'm being lazy, but on a nice sunny day, who wants to sit inside on a computer doing research? I didn't think so....;) I made a fruit salad last night and I am so looking forward to eating it in a sec, great breakfast I tell you.

Recap of the weekend.

On Saturday, my roommate, Mari, and I went to Málaga for the day. We left at 7:40 am and got there just after 10:30. The train ride was so good. For 30 euro it was so worth it. It was comfortable, clean, and fast, enough said. We 1st went to the Alcazaba which are ruins I believe and pretty much just walked through the tricky maze trying to make it to the top, but most importantly, we took lots of pictures! Then we headed to the Picasso museum, just in case you didn't know, Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga and there are two sites dedicated to him. The museum was actually pretty neat. I'm usually not a big art person but his work is good, I'm not going to lie. After, we took a lunch break and ate our "bocadillos", Spanish for sandwiches. Finally, we made it to the beach! It was so nice to relax and just enjoy the beautiful views. Technically, it was my first time seeing a "nude" beach (well somewhat). So when I saw girls with no tops, I was like, Whoa, what are they doing, then I had to remind myself I was in Europe hehe. But this trip was great and I'm hoping I can find someone to go with me to another city this weekend. We shall see...

La Playa

This weekend in Malaga was amazing! Beautiful weather and a gorgeous city! We went to visit a girl names Julie we met in Morocco!

Happy Easter!

Easter here in Spain is definitely a lot different to what I'm used to. I just had a salad and paella alone in the kitchen. Wonderful ay? I didn't mind but we didn't even have eggs, what's up with that?! But my aunt from Poland packed one for me so I still have yet to eat it, can't wait. My 9 days in Poland went by super fast. It was really nice to see my family and cousins, we had a good time. The weather was even nice too! The last two days were kinda cold so I pretty such stayed under the covers haha. So here I am now, in my room writing away with some homework, waiting for my roomie to come back, she should be back soon. Then...we're going on the rooftop to get some sun, ah, I can't wait, partly because it's so cold in my room. Well, folks, pictures will be up soon, stay tuned...

Granada

Happy St.Pat's Day.

Well, I usually don't celebrate St.Patrick's Day but it's my roommate's birthday today so how can I not? I still have two classes to get through tonight but I'm super excited about going out afterward. It is so nice out I'm trying to fit in a quick jog before school. So I just ate lunch and let me tell you, when I get home I'm not planning on touching fish or meat for a long time. We have it at every single meal excluding breakfast and it's getting hard eating so much of it. So, hopefully I'll post some pics soon of this week & oh Granada (I'm going this weekend if I haven't mentioned that yet)!

Oh Sun, how I've missed you...

Today is Wednesday and it's gorgeous out! I think I've waited long enough right? I just came back from my morning class which was quite boring as usually. In about 15 minutes I'm finally going to get to eat almuerzo (lunch). I have been eating so much for the past two days I honestly don't know what's wrong with me. This Wednesday we're going out to celebrate my roommate's birthday, and obviously St.Pat's day:) This weekend I'm going to Granada which I've heard amazing things about and we'll be back Saturday night just in time to celebrate my other friend's birthday. It's going to be a great great week! The pics are from going out with a few friends and taken by our bridge by home. It's so beautiful, I wish you guys were here to see it.
The other picture is of the famous paella, and let me tell you...it's delicious. Our senora knows how to make it good. Lastly, is a pic of Plaza Nueva which is pretty much the center of Seville and it's a minute away from my school.

Fact

Fact: "Sexy Bitch" by David Guetta is the best song ever. You know...just sayin'. Not to mention Akon is foxy;) That song just makes you want to get up & dance.

Studying...?

It's a Thursday night in Spain and I'm...studying?! Yes, yes I am, because I need to pass my test tomorrow morning:)I actually have all my vocabulary words pretty down...oh you know...all 200 of them. I'm still correcting my essay as well but since it's under 300 hundred words, it's really fast to do. I honestly didn't think I was going to study this hard here, hehe but I gotta do what I gotta do to get my A. I'm just super excited because I'm finally sick free hopefully and going to Morocco, whoot whoot! Yep be jealous;) So here are a few more pics because I feel like I'm not sharing enough of my obsession with pictures. The last picture is from Carnaval de Cadiz. There was thousands of people there...it's similar to our Halloween where people get drunk in the streets and no body cares, in other words, it's a huge outdoor party with tons of costumes, really fun!

Itálica Ruins

Today I went to see the Itálica Ruins, one word=amazing. It was raining a bit so picture taking was hard but I still managed to sneak in a few. I still need to read up on the history because I wasn't really listening to our guide. It was gorgeous and I would definitely see it again to actually walk through the entire site. Here are a few pics and one at a cafe.

Better day

So I'm feeling a lot better today and surprise surprise the weather is beautiful too. I have more time today since I just took a test this morning so all I have left is a short essay to write for tomorrow but no biggie. And...I don't have to work today so I have a free day too, so excited. Tonight I finally get to go out since I can function a little more and going out to eat with a friend from school (back in the states). This weekend I'm going to....drum roll please....Morocco!!! I'm so excited words can't explain. I'm just hoping the weather is nice to us and it'll be sunny. I haven't been taking too many pictures but here are a few from my bedroom and neighboorhood in case your curious where I sleep.

Sunny day...?

For the past week, I've been sick & pretty much glued to my bed. The weather here has been extremely crappy with days filled with rain. But today...it's sunny!!! I'm going to tutor in less than 5 minutes and have class after but here are a few pics of a Cathedral I went to see last Friday. Enjoy...

Beautiful views...