Home

This is truly becoming my home and although I have my ups and my downs I'm really starting to enjoy myself. I went to Oktoberfest last night with a group of friends. It was sTudent night so for 8 euros we got 2 liters of beer. I didn't finish one, so I guess I learned my lesson. I won't buy both. But it didn't go to waste because a friend drank the other one for me. I've been trying to get in contact with my high school spanish teacher but I haven't heard anything so I wonder if I have the wrong e-mail. Anyways, What else is there to tell? I'm supposed  to be going to Mallorca after the Pyrenees next week but the plane ticket  price shot up! So I think we are just going to stay in Barcelona and take a bus back to Valencia on Sunday. Which I'm sure will also be fun. This afternoon Galen, Abby and I went to "the left" which is basically turning left out of the study center instead of going right like we usually do. We just wandered a lot. Found some sketchy places and streets and pretty cool Graffiti. We were pretty hungry and found this place that had lebanese food. It looked kind of gross from the outside but when we walked in everything was white and it was really pretty, plus not that expensive at all. We had some hummus and I ate something that started with an S but it was delicious and most likely not healthy at all. There was lamb and cabbage and a really good sauce in it and was wrapped in a pita. I think it was somewhat similar to a gyro but I don't actually know. Abby got the same thing but with chicken and Galen had a falafel. I tried it and if we ever go back there, which I know we will, that's what I'm getting. It was so yummy. Last night, a big group of us went to a jazz club and listened to a girl from UC Berkeley sing. She was really fantastic and I really enjoyed having a night off away from the clubs and alcohol even though I did have a drink while we were there. It was kind of expensive too, but this girl was fantastic and it was totally worth the admission price. Plus, everyone was dressed up and it was something different to do.

That's all that has really been going on here. On Monday, we are going to the Pyrenees for a week. Which means that we don't have classes and then after going to the Pyrenees our bus is going to drop off a group of students and go to Barcelona. Can you all tell I wrote this entry over two days?? I already wrote about that but oh well.  It will be my first traveling experience while I've been here without it being sponsored through the study center.
Lately I have been feeling a little blue about home. So many of my friends on facebook and twitter keep talking about how nice it is to lay in their bed with their dog at home and see their parents. I love it here but that makes me miss my bed. This is definitely a transition but every day it get's a little bit easier. I get closer to my friends and more comfortable with classes. Plus, I can't be too homesick or I wouldn't be enjoying the opportunity that I have been given to be here. I probably won't post until I get back from the Pyrenees because I don't know what the internet connection will be like but if I have the opportunity I will catch all of you up on my most recent adventure. Until next time, Stacey

Waiting for the Sunrise

Javea was so cool. We took an hour long bus ride, hopped on a ferry. The ferry was really rocking in the Mediterranean but it was really pretty. I took a lot of pictures but they all look a like. When we got there, we all went to this store to buy snorkel gear. There were 50 students so we basically bought all the snorkel gear they had. The waves were not great for snorkeling and I didn't even use mine at all but it was still fun to go in the water and swim around. After snorkeling we split up for a little bit and went to eat lunch. I had a Doner, which seems to be very popular in apartment six, it was so unhealthy and I didn't care at all; it was fantastic. When we got home, people showered and then I don't remember what we did. But later that night, I went to an Oktoberfest in Valencia. It was $10 to get in but they gave you   a liter of beer. It was super fun but I think I drank too much, haha whoops. But whatever happens here it doesn't matter because this is an amazing chapter of my life that I never want to regret. During the day Saturday, I'm pretty sure I studied and did a lot of homework. At night, almost everyone from the study center went to a club. We didn't leave until midnight and by that time I was already tired especially because of the night before but I actually had a lot of fun. We went to a club like I said and then at about 6:30 in the morning we went to the beach and waited for the sun to rise at about 8:00. Sunday obviously was a very tiring day. The sunrise was one of the prettiest things I have ever seen. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my phone to take pictures but Alex, one of my roommates, has a lot of pictures so I'll have to see if she can send me some and then I'll put them up on facebook. The beach was freezing and I was in a tank top and skirt so I didn't have much to keep me warm. Part of the Spanish culture in Valencia is the clubbing scene. When we all had left the club at about 6:30, it was still roaring which to me is kind of weird. But this past weekend was definitely my favorite.  I met some more awesome people and got to know people from the study center even more.  Monday didn't start off fantastic. I'm currently out of money because I mistakenly did not bring a debit card with me and so my dad had to send me money. Which I then missed one of the numbers for the account so I had to walk back to get it. Also, apparently the Prime Minister is visiting really close to the study center so there are police everywhere!! There are even police helicopters which I think is pretty cool. Today my culture and Civilization class went to two different gardens, Los Viveros and el jardin de monforte. Los viveros is a huge park that has the remains of the old palace in it. It also has a lot of different types of species of plants because the people of Valencia would trade and get plants from all over the world and plant them around this big park. One of my favorite things in that garden was a big section full of roses. Our professor told us that there are over 100 species of roses in the garden. The second garden, el jardin de monforte was much smaller and was once a family garden to the Monforte family. It also had a really beautiful rose garden. I do have pictures from here so I'll put some on here for you all to see. Next week we are going to the Pyrenees so I'm not sure how I'm going to blog or if I'll even have the ability to text. So that is all for now. I just have to say one thing. Happy Birthday brother! miss you!

The first is from the Rose garden in Los Viveros, the Second is a picture of Javea from a mountain we went on and the third is a picture from el jardin de Monforte

~Stacey

Breaks

I had to take a break from blogging because there wasn't that much to talk about. Last night I ate dinner with apartment seven. Sam is a great cook and made a basil and tomato salad and flounder with mango salsa. One of the best meals I've had while I've been here. A couple nights ago I bought these really pretty earrings that are made out of wood. I bought them from this woman who had dreadlocks and was just a very interesting, cool person. I'd like to go back and buy more stuff from her after I get more money. I can think of a lot of things that some of my friends would like from there. Oh I thought of something, I lost my jar of peanut butter and am very sad about it. Peanut butter here isn't great and it's really expensive compared to back home. I've been doing a lot of walking. I have a couple of really good blisters on my right foot. I definitely didn't pack enough nice clothes. My dad is coming to visit in about a month I think and I will be requesting a lot of stuff. I think it was two days ago that Abby and I went for a bike ride. We both have rented bikes for the year which is a really great deal. But anyway, the bikers here ride in the street with the buses ad taxis and drivers. Needless to say, when we found the next available place to dump our bikes we did and decided to just run home.  On Tuesday my culture and Civilization of Spain class went to the central market and la lonja which I realize that I talked about on my last blog so never mind. When we were at the central market, one of the biggest markets in Europe, Sarah and I found this stall that was selling different types of pastries. We saw this pastry with chocolate so we bought one to split for breakfast the next day. There was also a cool coffee stall and I would say that I had the best coffee I've had while I've been here. When we walked around the fish section we saw eels. The butcher was cutting them up, it was really gross but cool. Once the heads are cut off, they still move! Ewwww. There was a lady and man buying the cut up eels so I tapped her on the shoulder and, yes in spanish, asked what they would make with them. Some type of spicy potato and ham thing was her answer. It actually sounded kind of good. I still really want to have a traditional spanish dinner. I mean yes I've had tapas but I've been here for two weeks now and have yet to have Paella. Oh wait that's a lie haahaha never mind. I went to a buffet type place after the arts and sciences museum and had some. I have a good amount of homework to do before next weeks classes. But after next week We are all packing up and going to the Pyrenees. This study abroad program is so amazing and I am so fortunate to be here. Tomorrow we are going to Javea to snorkel and do other water sports things, It's an all day event so I probably won't have time to blog but I'll try my best.

With love,   Stacey

Better days

There hasn't been a whole lot going on these past few days so I haven't been writing. I'm definitely in a better mood today and well yesterday was a pretty good day too. I need to start doing some homework but I;m honestly not in the mood for it. Okay so when's the last time I blog? Like Sunday? Two nights ago one apartment was playing ring of fire but I didn't feel like being hungover during my 9 am class so i stuck with water. Lame, I know, Amy, you don't have to tell me, I already know. Monday morning was tiring and fine. Um last night we went to a bar and drank. At first we went and got tapas. Yummy grilled goat cheese and bread with tomato spread. Still miss my support system but what is there to do? Nothing. Had some vodka tonic--be proud mom, be proud. Then I drank a pint of fosters--be proud dad, be proud. I'm super exhausted and don't feel like talking. Just got bummed from something that's not important and is stupid. I smoked and got over it. Tomorrow I have my favorite class, pre-history to late-antigity, i don't know how to spell it. Today, we went la lonja, a beautiful silk exchange from the 1400s. Ill put pictures on Facebook.

With love,

Stacey

Things can change

I would say that the tension is a little high in apartment six. I find it funny how quickly peoples opinions can change toward other people. It's starting to not be as funny anymore and yet I haven't found anyone that is miserable like I am. I told everyone that reads my blog that this wasn't going to be all fun and that I would be honest. So here the honesty comes out. The past few days haven't been my favorite. I miss home and my friends who understood me. I'm back to being that girl that always puts herself down and has nothing positive to say. Sorry world but that is who I am. In Cinci I had and yes still have people that understood my fears, understood my worries, understood how quickly my mood could change. It's really difficult to be with someone all the time and to have such a routine about your life and suddenly that person isn't there and your routine changes dramatically.  I don't think I'm understood by many people but I will try harder. I want to make friends and be liked by everyone but in reality is that even possible? I doubt it, I highly doubt it.


I do look forward to my many nights to come here. Whether it's drinking in front of the TV with my roommates or sitting outside by the roman ruins. I may be miserable, stressed, lonely and angry today but what about tomorrow? Will I take a tram to the beach or a bus to a waterfall? Will I get to explore the history of this beautiful city and learn to speak this romantic language? Yes, yes I will. I'm sure there are many bad days still to come, it's who I am. I would definitely say that I have more bad mood days than good mood days, but hey it's a part of  my life.

I hope this loneliness can soon subside and I find at least one person I can sit down with and drink some coffee and smoke a couple cigarettes and just talk. Talk about life, this amazing journey that is ahead of us and loneliness. Although I do not wish my loneliness upon anyone here in the program or actually anyone in this world, I truly hope to find that one lonely person that I can somehow relate to and then maybe just maybe that loneliness can disappear. I mean as Justin Vernon said, "oh the demons come can they can subside."  and what I say, I just have to "be ok", right?


I don't want to apologize for this sad depressing entry, what you have to understand is that yes as much as it pains me to admit, I am sad. I am depressed.

Cafe loco

Yesterday was ehh, kind of boring. I didn't have class until 12:15 so I went out until I don't know twoish. Well I didn't really go out. We have a basement where the classrooms are and a guy named Michael is a fantastic musician and one of my roomies alex does really cool cinematography so we were jamming in the basement. I'm super excited to jam with them again. Michael's voice is fantastic, it's deep and a little rough (in a good way, i guess I should say it's more raw than rough.) Today we went to the arts and sciences museum. The museum has some really amazing architecture and well, I don't remember who the architect is but he is a serious artist. After the arts and sciences we came home and napped for a few hours. Sarah didn't come home until four and we had to be up and ready to go by 9:30. For dinner we ordered dominos pizza, it was really good but not going to lie, the cheese pizza was like bleu cheese or something, but damn it was good. My roommates are staying out til the clubs close tonight so the partying is just starting to happen. I'm not used to it but eventually I will be. As most of my friends back home know, I tend to drink and go to bed by one and now the drinking doesnt start until one. In fact, Sarah just made me a lovely screwdriver, my favorite. I had to go buy another pack of cigarettes. Alex told me that I have three weeks left to smoke and then I have to quit because she wants me to have a long life. Haha I'm pretty sure I'll be ok and plus, If shit happens, shit happens.  I'm trying to incorporate the culture into my blogs but I'm having a hard time doing so. I'm totally amazed by everything I see every day but there is so much I never know what to tell people. I think tomorrow we are going to take a day trip to a waterfall and go swimming. iT'S about an hour out of the city.

I'm really starting to miss home and my support system but my friends here are great. I can't seem to find anyone to smoke a cigarette and drink coffee with and if you are reading this, you know that I'm trying to say that I miss drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes with you.  THis next part is going to get a little personal. This past summer was a great time and i HAD  a lot of deep conversations, here in my new home and holding too many deep thoughts and I haven't found my person to get personal with so I guess If anyone is reading this, you are my deep conversation person. I think its time to start drinking more and get ready for the night. Wish me luck.

With love, Stacey

Day two here we go

Well yesterday was my first day of Class. After class, Abby, Galen, Sarah and  I went to play soccer with some of the guys in the program. As everyone knows, I am terrible at sports and working out. The boys put me in the goal, well not really, but no one else would do it. Let just say that I wasn't the goalie for very long. I suck! But I was a good sport and I got a little workout. Sarah (my roommate) had a class at 2:45 so I just hung out but when she got home from class the party started. We did some homework and drank a beer. And then she somehow convinced me to do a shot. I haven't done shots since I got sick after a a few too many about  a year ago. Whoops. On top of that I drank a screwdriver which s my favorite.  We walked to "Wok to Walk" a chinese restaurant that Sarah loves and of course I was tipsy and totally embarrassed because it was like seven o'clock.

blog break: hi, i love stacey (: ok back to stacey - alex

today, i had class. Sorry if all i TALK about is drinking I promise there is a lot more to this experience I just haven't gotten there yet. Anyway, my classs that I had today was pre-history to late late antiquity. And i had intermediate spanish ( aren't you proud Mr. Stewart?) By the way, I seriously miss my spanish class from high school. Ahhh there's only like 10 people in my class. Other than that I love having to speak spanish everyday. My spanish has really improved and i've only been here for about a week. tHE CULTURE is amazing. The churches are amazing. There are two main plazas. La plaza de la virgen y la plaza de la reina. Both beautiful and I have pictures but i haven't quite figured out how to upload them. I can only do it to facebook. iT'S time for dinner, my caps lock is driving my crazayy and I'm hungry. Sarah and I are going to get cheese for elliot before he chops our heads off.

Classes and Stress

Started the day off by actually getting out of bed by 8:30 instead of the usual noon. I walked to the open market with Keight, Alex and two other girls from another apartment, Meredith and Jennifer. We are still buying groceries as an apartment and I spent about 11 euros on fruit and veggies for a whole week which was about 1.25 euros a person. vI'm still very impressed and over taken by the culture here. Everyone is so thin and the eating times are so different than in the states. Everyday my spanish gets a little bit better and I'm having fun helping other people learn more. Alex helps me a lot because she' fluent. After that we had an academic orientation for about two hours, met our professors and talked about classes. I get that this is more of a cultural experience but seriously i feel so stressed out. There are so many traveling opportunities and I'm afraid that I won't have anytime for studying . . . haha I'm a nerd. 

I skyped with Amy this afternoon and she told me that she was laughing at my blog   I thought this thing was kind of boring but if I can amuse one person I'll be happy.

I finally bought a metro/tram/bike pass today too. I got it for about 33 euros which I think is pretty decent. I can bike around for a year now and use the tram and metro for ten trips. I'm really enjoying everything and all the people. It's amazing how much our apartment is getting along. We all seem to like each other, at least I like everyone. 

These past two days even though they have been amazing have been kind of hard for me. I've really been missing home and my family and friends. I doubt anyone is actually reading this but I think this blog might end up being good therapy for me. I can let my emotions go. Um it's about 10 pm and classes start tomorrow. Did I say that I'm nervous? haha ya I am. Goodnight everyone. 

Apartment Six

I got to Valencia on Thursday but it has been a busy few days. I got to the study center about 30 minutes before orientation started. I met y roommate, Sarah and my apartment mates. We all have been partying in up in Apartment six. It's definitely a wild party. Will and Elliot share a room, keight and his brother austin share a room. The girls are up a floor it's pretty sweet with a spiral staircase and stuff. Sarah and I share a room. Abby and Galen share a room. Alex and Maggie share a room.  Personally apartment six has the best view and late at night it seems that the party is in our kitchen. Friday night Abby and I went to a little restaurant around the corner, bought some cigs for me and had a beer. We sat there talked about life. She's from Chicago. Abby tried a Sangria (sp?) and said it was really good. Beer is pretty cheap here. I had a good sized beer for two euros. There are probably about 50 students in the study center. I'm really enjoying myself. The people are very nice and want to help. I'd really like to have a glass of wine but right now i'm sticking with the beer and vodka.

The apartment across the hall is apartment 7 and last night I hung out with a few of them. Kim, Mary, Collin, Sam, Matt, Derek, eric and Adam. Hopefully I didn't forget anyone.

In Spain, no one can buy alcohol after 10. While I was out with the group I said above, we met a very interesting man from Pakistan, Omar who sells a beer for one euro late into the night.  The latest I've gone to bed is 4 and that's pretty early I guess.  Anyways, Omar was such a sweet man, I hope that when I go out tonight I'll see him. He gave me a beer for free. Right after We left Omar, I saw a man that Elliot had bought a rose from for Abby and I and he gave me a rose for free. Mary took a picture of me with the beer and rose in hand. It really was a great night. There is this place where someone can look down this open glass fountain thing filled with water and see the Roman ruins. It's something else. I separated myself from the group just  a little bit and was sitting by the ruins. It's a serene place to think. It is truly incredible that I am in a different country I'm having the time of my life and although I miss my family and friends I don't ever want to come home...It's time to go because Will is calling me the blog master. He's cheering me on. Definitely time to go