Well hello All!

Oh my Goodness it sure has been awhile. Right when I got back from Madrid, the countdown started. After today I have 23 days! Can you believe it? Because I sure can't! I can't believe how long I have been here and how soon I will be home. When I get home, I will have so much to do. Visit family, hang out with friends, visit teachers, get my hair cut, visit red robin and the list goes on and on!! There isn't much to update everyone on unless you want to listen to me list all of the work I need to get done this weekend. And no I actually haven't been procrastinating. Well, okay maybe just a little. Well back in Madrid, we went to a Flamenco show and had dinner. It was beautiful. The dancers were so passionate and the singers were really good and damn those guitarists sure could play. We had a nice 4 course meal and lots of Sangria and then we went off to a bar. But didn't stay long, I wanted to get back to the hotel. I'm not sure if anyone heard about the strike here or in Greece or Portugal, but there was one. And our hotel was a two minute walk from the main plaza where it was being held. It was totally safe but kind of scary. There were two times the police starting shooting rubber bullets and I had to run with the crowd and there was lots of chanting and yelling. One kid got hit by that stick the police have. I don't know what it's called. So after my experience of the strike, I decided that I had had enough and went back to the hotel and slept.

I also got to see where Cervantes was born and grew up. It was interesting but kind of like any other tour.  So once we arrived back in Valencia, I had the weekend to finish some homework, do laundry, go grocery shopping and buy gifts for Christmas and stuff like that. The week resumed back to normal. Classes and other boring stuff.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, obviously and yes we had class. which is kind of disappointing but what can I do about it. Anyway, after class I went shopping with Abby for a dress. I found a dress and some boots to where to dinner. The study center was preparing a lovely Thanksgiving meal for us. It was great getting to spend this holiday with such good friends and a new family but I was still missing home a little bit. Getting on Facebook, I would see all of my friends together in pictures and I wish I could have been there but hey, at least I'm in a great place like Valencia, Spain. After dinner, Colin, Abby and I went and had a couple glasses of Sangria at a restaurant. Yummm, it's really my favorite. Get ready friends, I'm making Sangria for you!

So I guess that ends it for now.  I will see you all very soon!

with love,
Stacey

Madrid

Ahh Finally a break, a break from this madness. Today there was history in the making here in Madrid. For the first tie 3 countries were on strike at the same time. Spain, Greece and portugal and I got to be a part of this madness. There were guns, police attacking people, tear gas noise noise noise. It was and still is quite intense. It will be a little bit of madness until 6 when the protesters have a permit to actually protest. Anyway, today we went to the Reina Sofia museum where a lot of the modern art is and then went to el Prado. Saw Las Maninas. Which was really cool considering I can remember being in Mrs. Margraf's spanish class junior year learning about it and then I saw it in real life.  Yesterday we went to The valley of the Fallen. It's where Franco is buried and is a monument to the civil war in Spain. Very peaceful but eerie all at the same time. Then we were off to Segovia to see the Roman Aqueduct and cathedral and castle. We took a tour of the castle which was fun, although I would have rather had a tour of the Cathedral. But before any of that happened I went to this nice restaurant and tried some Sopa Castanilla.  I think That is what it was called but I honestly don't remember. Now I have a break which is why I thought I could tell you a little bit about my trip so far. At 7 we are going to a Flamenco show and dinner, I'm very excited. It will be my first Flamenco show here in Spain and I've heard it's best in Madrid. Plus it's normally pretty expensive except for us it's free tonight. Why not go?? Good night.

With love from Madrid,
Stacey

The weeks go on and on

I wish I blogged a little bit more about my trip. Honestly, it's becoming the same thing day after day. I've been sleeping a lot and not eating very much. I don't know what my problem is. I mean I love it here I really do, I'm just a little melancholy these days. The weather is getting colder and although the Spaniards say it never rains here, it feels like it is constantly raining. Every Sunday I've been going to church. I think it's a really good way to learn the language. I sit there for 45 minutes just listening to someone speak in Spanish and I don't have to respond. Yesterday, Abby and I went to our place. Ordered up some Sangria, tostadas and patatas bravas. Yummmmm. We try to go there at least once a week. We get a lot of food for pretty cheap, even though they don't take cheques. Cheques are these like meal voucher things that we get from the study center every month. I tend to eat at home more though so I haven't started using the ones from November yet, I have about 5 left I think from October. There is this man that is always sitting in this one place in the city. He has his head in his hands and just looks defeated. I don't know him but I always feel bad for him. He has a little cardboard box that reads "tengo hambre" which means I'm hungry. Since I had so many cheques, I gave him two of them. I can remember when my dad visited the other week.  I told him that I always want to bring that man ice cream but had never done it. Yesterday was the day I gave him two cheques. I just said hi, i want to give you these because you probably need it more than I do. I can pay for my own food, even though having cheques is a great way to save food. The economic situation here is terrible. You think the U.S. has it bad with what an 8% unemployment rate. Try 50%. How bad do you think politics would be at home then. Imagine the wealthy loaning money to the government so the government can pay the politicians. Maybe it's time to open our eyes a little bit. I know it's bad at home, I know, It's just worse here. It's frustrating. Ahhh. I'm not one to be preaching about politics. I don't know that much, so I keep my mouth shut but I can read and I know it isn't going to well over here.

Tomorrow I leave for Madrid. Yes, I have yet another week off from school and then when we come back, There are only like three weeks until I come home for winter break. Hopefully it will be the best winter break I've had so far. I'm trying to decide If I want to go to Wisconsin with my dad. I think I probably should but I just want to spend time with my friends and my brother and mom. I guess we will see when the time comes.

I've started to be a little more diligent when it comes to homework. I've been working on a final project for one class that is due pretty soon. The 4th of December. It's not hard, just time consuming. I hope everyone has a good week. Or at least try to. I know I will try. See you all very soon

With Love,
Stacey

Halloween and more

Yes I am here. I  have just been walking around. Enjoying the company of my friends and discovering new things and places. I haven't really been feeling myself lately. I don't know if it's that the weather is changing or that I am just missing home but I feel a little bit down in the dumps. I feel so bad sometimes that I fell this way, but it's just a part of my life and I'm afraid it always will be. I feel guilty honestly, there are people who I love and adore that have cancer or a family member just passed and here I am sulking in my lovely wood-beamed ceiling in Spain. It just doesn't seem right to me, you know?

Anyway that was my thoughtfulness, if that's what I should call it, for the week. Or the next few days. I really am not feeling fantastic but let me try to recap the past week.

First of all, three day week, four day weekend...what??? Monday and Tuesday were very slow and boring but Halloween was on Wednesday. It is not a very celebrated holiday in Spain. For those that do dress up, they look scary. Like I'm not kidding, Wooh. Blood, zombies, vampires, they really play up the scary make-up. So then the lovely Americans come outside and this is what happens. Stares. Some boys were in boxers and an apron, some girls let it all out, others were just too drunk. Yay for the americans on that one, Justing Kidding. We looked like fools. I was a spain super-hero. I liked it but here they think it's all about being scary. I guess in the states it's changed a little. So after exploring the streets for a bit, there were just too many drunk annoying people out for me so at about 3 I went home and fell asleep.  Plus the government building was blocked off and there was just too much chaos for me.
Thursday was Colin's birthday and he finally turned 18 so we had some celebrating to do. We went to a lebanese restaurant for lunch got some yummy ice cream, then went and got sangria followed by this good alcoholic smoothy then we went out to dinner. Had pizza and wine and just celebrated. It was a lot of fun and this place where we got pizza had the best tiramisu. Ahh. Yesterday was friday and I laid in bed a lot. Read my book went out for dinner again, I think, for some reason I don't remember. I went to see skyfall with colin but we didn't get to see it because he accidentally left his wallet in the taxi but he got it back this morning. Crisis averted but of course there was no money in it. Oh well. We are going later tonight with more people. I think I'll pay this time. And yes, the movie is in English.

This past week

Let's see. There isn't that much to talk about. Oh I know, Tuesday I went to the police station because I was applying for a residency card which I should get in about 40 days. Wednesday almost all of the students here made different american style dishes and then we took the tram to the university and had diner with spanish students. Obviously, they made spanish food. YUMMMM. One girl made this french toast type of thing that was just amazing. There were meat balls and spanish omelets. Bread with tomato spread--one of my favorites, sausage and just a bunch of really yummy food. Abby and I were feeling a little lazy so we made a fruit salad with apples, peaches, bananas and pineapple. It was pretty good. We wanted to put watermelon in it, but they didn't have any. None at consum or the fruteria. Bummer but hey it's ok. I met a lot of really nice spaniards. They would talk to us in English and we wold respond in spanish. Well, that's at least what I did, I don't know what the other kids did. Thursday, I was stressed. Doing homework and studying for a quiz I have on Tuesday so I didn't get to have much  fun. Actually, I lied. A group of 8 of us went to this Italian restaurant and I got a vegetable lasagna. Holy shit it was really good. I wrote a couple letters as well. Lori, I don't know if you read this, but you have two coming your way. I'm sorry for the long wait. There arren't that many days until I come home and get to see everyone over Christmas break. Ahhhhh I love it here but I am so excited to come home and see my parents and brother and to hang out with friends.

Today we went to the Bejis mountains. It was kind of a hard hike for me but I managed. My right foot, especially my right ankle, isn't very happy with me right now but whatever. I can do anything that anyone else can do. I just might be in the back of the line and I may be struggling to keep up but Colin and Angel, I think that's how you spell his name, stayed back with me. They helped me climb over rocks and puddles and stuff like that. It was really pretty. There was a point where I was hugging this slippery rock and people basically carried me through this one section. It get's embarrassing sometimes and most of the times I wish I could be like everyone else but I can't. And that's okay. I have had the best groups of people surrounding me my whole life that help me along. Every single one of you has helped me in one way or another. And for that I thank you.

For now, I am going to go out to dinner with Colin and then grab my bottle of vodka and orange juice because it's the weekend and I can. Good night.

Farewell

As I sit in this lovely hotel bar with nothing to do on a Saturday night but drink a vodka tonic, it's a sad moment as the thoughts of my family leaving in the very early morning linger in the back of my head. But for now I'll let my mind venture back to when dad and Auntie Paula first arrived. I can still remember crossing the street in a giddy galloping strut waiting to get a familiar person into my arms. I had a cafe con leche in hand and I just grabbed my aunt, as dad was trying with not a lot of success to ask where the apartment that we were staying was. Why am i being so descriptive? I have no clue. I guess because it's a Saturday and I'm bored.

So lets see. Sunday they get here. We go touring the city, we go into the Cathedral and to the top of the serrano towers just outside the study center. When we got to our apartment in port Saplaya we ate a delicious italian meal out in the plaza.

Monday was great. I opened a bank account only speaking spanish. Granted it took me about two and a half hours but hey that's something for me. Especially since I'm a little timid when it comes to speaking spanish. Roxanne, Paula's friend came along for the trip as well and arrived on Tuesday. So anyway I guess I'll just give you the highlights of my trip.

#1 We went shopping. Lots and lots of shopping. I got the cutest green dress with birds on it that I can't wait to wear and many other things. I've even bought a few gifts for friends and family.

#2 We went to the central market. It was awesome. This of course was my fourth or fifth time going but I think I just loved being able to explore and see different things with the fam. We got some good stuff too. I'm pretty sure Roxanne bought like six bottles of olive oil. But hey that's ok because we're on vacation.

#3 Found the best Paella place ever. Ok it was really expensive but hey it was some damn goos Paella.

Last but not least #4. When we were in Port Saplaya at some other delicious italian restaurant, where I had the best pizza ever. I'm taking my roommates there. I don't care if we have to take a cab. I met Suni, well at least that's how I'll write it but je was so sweet. We went back there three times. He gave me his jacket one time bcause I was cold. It smelt strongly of cologne and cigarette smoke. Oh jeez that's my favorite. Sorry Colin, You might have some competition ;)

I think that's all I have to say. I still have a lot of vodka tonic to drink. Until next time.

Gosh I've missed blogging

Every other day

Most of my friends are taking their midterms right now and are in class or are planning their fall break plans so I'm lonely. Laying on my bed listening to the new Mumford & Sons cd. If you don't have it, I highly recommend getting it. Ahhh it's so good. But if you are looking for calm music try Bon Iver. That man can make me sit and cry even if I'm in a good mood. For Mumford I would say " I will wait" and "ghosts that we knew" are the ones to listen to. For Bon Iver anything, "Skinny Love" "Michicant" "Calgary" "Blood Bank"  I'm very excited to say that I am going to Lisbon Portugal to see him Perform with one of my best friends Alex. We are both pretty big music nerds. That reminds me I should probably buy those tickets and tickets to get there and a hostel and the list goes on and on. My other roommate Abby and I and I think all the girls of apartment six want to go to Sweden over Thanksgiving so I need to look at that as well.

My dad and Aunt Paula are coming to visit on Saturday. I haven't seen my Auntie Paula since graduation so I'm very excited to see her. I'm also just as excited to see my dad. The next 10 days are going to be a lot of fun. No school and a whole week to hang with some family. I will say that I'm very jealous of everyone in the program because everyone is traveling to different countries, Italy Germany, Amsterdam, well that's a city, Switzerland and many otter. I really want to go to Berlin. This is weird and I have yet to talk to Andy, my brother, about it but I have a mission. He has this sweet picture next to a piece of graffiti and I want to go find it and take the same picture. I don't know why I want to but I really want to. It would just be something cool to do. And then it's something I can say we both Have done. I really miss my brother. It's odd though because his first few years of college I didn't talk to him and I was just fine but the past few years we have grown closer and I truly miss him. Hopefully he can come visit in the Summer. Maybe take a few weeks off of work to come travel with me.

So I guess I don't have anything exciting to talk about. It's just a normal day. I'm tired but I promised Abby I wouldn't nap because yesterday I took four naps. I don't know what it is. I'm just tired and not up to much. Am I feeling a little down? Ya, sure I guess but that's been my normal for quite a while.