the end

Adios,

As I sit here looking at my half packed luggage I am overwhelmed with emotion. Tears are running down my face as I reminisce my experiences. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to experience this once in a life time opportunity. I have grown so much as a person and I have a new outlook and appreciation to life and those I love. I have met the most amazing people here and it hurts to say good bye. Most of them live in California, so for those it was not goodbye, but I will see you soon. The lessons I have learned and the independency I have experienced has a profound impact on me. There is an endless list of things I have learned and grown form. I have learned who my true friends are. I have learned to live solely on my own and cook my own food. I have learned to travel the world and make all my own plans. I have learned to be strong and make smart decisions. Barcelona is my new home and it is hard to say good bye. I'm leaving my home for the first time and I wont be coming back. I am thankful for the people I have met, the places I have been, and everything I have learned in between. Coming home will be hard for me, I am so excited to see everyone but I fear reverse culture shock. When I arrived to Barcelona I instantly fell in love and did not experience this culture shock. Barcelona is the most amazing place I have been and I hope that someday I will come back. My time here has flown by and its my time to return home with no regrets.

I will see you all soon. xoxo

Kelly Courtney Barcelona

• On top of the world! More like on top of the castle, so pretty!

• The lovely castle

• Us at the half way point to Montjuic

• View of the port from above

• View from the finicular, Las Ramblas is the snakey line filled with trees. It used to be a river that divided the city.

• Just after I bought my stunner shades.

Hi again,

The other week Court and I had a Vicky Christina taking over Barcelona experience. It was a big touring day, and we got to see so many sights that I have been wanting to see! We first walked all the way down La Rambla to Port Vell. There were tons of fish so we decided to feed them. We took the bridge over to the Maremagnun (a mall) and I bought yellow sun glasses from a vendor! haha. Courntey got white. We did a little shopping in the Maremagnum. We found this cute little jewelry/bead shop and we decided to make friendship bracelets! hah they turned out very cute. We continued our journey to Buenos Amigos, a delicious little eatery with pizza on foccacia bread. It was delicious. We continued to walk along the port until we reached the entrance to the finicular. This finicular offers amazing views as it streams across the port up to Montjuic. Once at the top you have a view of the entire city it is absolutely spectacular. Further up Montjuic there is a castle that overlooks the port and ocean. We made our way up there and enjoyed the sunset. This adventure made me appreciate Barcelona so much more, it is gorgeous and has so much to offer. I wish my vacation wasn't coming to an end so soon! :(

• HAHAHAH Courtney getting bit by the horse in the Jewish Quarters

• The famous Charles Bridge

• Enjoying our hot wine and the view of the city! :)

• John Lennon Wall 

• My favorite part of the wall.

• Enjoying our first sight of snow in over a year! :) It made is so happy

Hi family and friends,

I am so sorry that I have been so horrible in keeping you up to date with my life. I have been stressed about all the work I to do with finals, papers, and presentations. The fact that I'm leaving Barcelona on the 20th is hitting me strong. I have been having the time of my life, but there is so much more I want to see and experience. This last week I'm trying to balance work and fun, but there is a lot of work! I aslo have to pack soon, and Leash, and Jenny are coming in two days! I am so excited, but I hope I can get everything done before they get here. Anyways November 22-24 I traveled to Prague with a bunch of my girl friends. Our first day there was a mellow sight seeing day that ended in a white xmas! The snow was absolutely beautiful and it peacefully fell from the sky. We tried caching the flakes in our mouths and throw snowballs. We were taken back to our childhood. In the main square where we were, there were tons of little stands that sold sausage sandwiches. Since Prague is known for their sausage, I had to try it! It was sausage and onion on a baguette.. absolutely delicious! The next day was our main touring day we crossed the Charels Bridge and headed over to the old side of the city. We made some purchases of enormous furry hats and headed over to the John Lennon wall. This was one of my main highlights of the trip. There are so many quotes and deep thoughts, people have so much to  say and this allowed a small portion of the world to see it. I tagged up the wall a little bit just putting my name and fall 08. After admiring the wall we proceed up the hill to the Lobkowicz Palace, and went inside the Cathedral. We got some hot wine and enjoyed the view of the city from a top. The view was spectacular, the buildings covered in snow, the sun shining down, and the water glimmering. That night we wanted to experience a typical Cezch meal so went to the first one we saw. We were told that the beef goulash is a must, so we ordered that. It was absolutely delicious, the beef goulash came in a big pot in which you spooned it out on top of crackling and bread dumplings. I wasn't sure what I was eating nor did I want to know, but it was fenominal. After the bartender suggested we try Becherovka, which is the Nations alcohol.  The only known spice is cinnamon and the other is unknown. Of course and I were trying it out, but no luck. The drink tasted like xmas in an alcohol form, it was tasty! Our trip to Prague was a success, I absolutely loved the atmosphere, the people, and the beautiful scenery, and the good food was a plus too! haha. Definitely a place to see. That's all for now I will try to write more before I'm off. Love you all and I hope all is well

xoxo,

ME

Another Day in Barca!

Today Court got a package from her mommy and it made our day! :) She sent us candy (butterfinger, twix, red vines, sour worms, and kit kat) all the goodies we can't get here and candy we missed out on, on Halloweeny. She also sent Thanksgiving place mats and X-Mas hand towels. She even sent us ranch! Which is one of the main things we have been missing, they have NOTHING like it. Then we roamed around Barca and we actually found a bagel shop! The only one in Barca is only a couple blocks from our flat, but we just found it. It was amazing, it feels like I haven't had a bagel in years. I got a cheese bagel with pesto, sun dried tomato, ricotta cheese, and grilled zucchini, it was amazing! We also found a sports shop where I had a buy a mouth guard because I have been grinding uncontrollably :( it wreally whurts. Oh and I dropped 90 euros on a new computer charger, but now I am on top of my updates! Also this weekend a couple of my friends (the three that stayed in Barca) and I found an AMAZING mexican food restaurant called La Cantella. Sorry m and d, but it was better than the place I took you :/ they even had mango margs! I was in heaven, Mexican food and margs in barca my life can't get any better than that. After din we met up with some locals, one of them is a trainer at the gym. We went and got some drinks and a local place, which was a good change, I hang out with Americans 24/7! I'm off to Prague this weekend with my best friends but I'll be back soon enough with an update. Well the bed is calling me.. bed time!

xoxoxo

Tapas and More!

• Half of  us with all of our gourmet spanish food! :)

• Court and I put our Sevilla aprons to use as everyone else had plastic aprons, they were so jealous! haha

Sorry it has taken me so long to post, my computer charger is broken! :( I'm using my roommates computer until I can get a new one, but I won't be able to upload pics until then sorry!

Last Thursday our program took us to a tapas cooking class. We learned all the tricks of the spanish trade and learned how to cook tapas. We made crab salad on a baguette, pork and green peppers on bread, potatoes fritas with homemade garlic mayo and red sauce, and a spanish omlette (potoatoes and egg). I have been very open minded to all foods while I have been abroad. Eventhough I do not eat seafood, I gave the crab a try, and I didn't think it was too bad! I have also tried squid, escargo, and all types of weird sausages, my dad would be so proud! After we were done making it about 15 of us had a nice family dinner, it was so much fun! Also last week I went on a field trip with my Spanish class to an old fresh market that used to a monk sanctuary. There we interviewed clerks and clients in ONLY Spanish, it was a lot of fun and good practice. but there was a downside. One of the butchers was chopping the skull of a baby cow right in front of me and I nearly had a panic attack and I had to run outside! It was so sad :( I am an animal lover and I can't stand to see that stuff! This weekend I spent a relaxing weekend home alone. It was weird, but nice to have some down time. Next weekend im off to Prague!! Until then take care!
xoxo

Sevilla and Sunday Funday

• Our boys :)

• The beautiful Sunday Funday at the port.

• La Inglesia inside the Cathedral.. like our church apparel?!

• Using my photography skills in Sevilla.

• The cathedral in Sevilla

• The girls of the trip!

• Inside the castle.. so pretty.

Hi all,

Last weekend my program took us all to Sevila, which is a small city south of Barcelna. We left on an overnight train Thursday night and got home Sunday morning. Sevilla is much smaller than Barcelona, but the people were much friendlier and warm. The streets were wide with cable cars and horse drawn carrides. It kind of had a Disneyland feel to it. The first day there our group took us on a tour of a castle, gardens, and the cathedral, it was all very beautiful. That night we had a buffet dinner and hung out at a local bar and the next day was a free day. My roommate Courtney, my guy friends and spent the day wandering. We had lunch overlooking the central river where the food was horrible but the atmosphere was beautiful. This is how bad the food was..we ordered a "pepper and onion salad" and were shocked to get a slab of tuna, absolutely NO lettuce and just peppers and onions, and we all know I highly dislike seafood (but I tried it). My guy friend ordered a seafood salad and received a plate of mayo and canned seafood that nearly made him throw up. As each plate came to our tables we would crack up, it was quite entertaining. After lunch we went to an International Trade Fair where they had booths selling goods from all over the world. There were so many neat little gadgets and I helped the boys pick out scarfs for their moms, so cute. We enjoyed some Coronitas and continued roaming. We watched the sunset over the river and Court and I got some apron souveniers, which are so cute! We took the overnight train home and got back to Barcelona Sunday morning. Court and I went to the Catherdral for mass which was an amazing experience. There were seven head men leading the service, all in their 70-80's. They sang beautiful music and all wore white robes. There was inscence that was thrown all over the bible and the audience. Since the service took place in Catalon, we didn't understand a word they were saying, but the atmosphere and the experience was all the worthwhile. After church we went to the port and enjoyed the beautiful day, had lunch at a cute little eatery and saw two movies! And yes they were in English, it was so exciting! We saw Vicky Christina Barcelona and High School Musical 3, which I love since I think Zac Efron is such a cutie.Vicky Christina was fun to watch because it was filmed in Barca and showed all the sights that I have been too, such as Park Guell and La Pedrera. Our Sunday was a productive success and our trip to Sevilla was perfect! I hope everyone had an amzing past weekend and I will write again soon.

With love,
ME xoxo

HOLA

• My crazy guy friends.. rented those dancer costumes for 100 euros!! the shoes were crazy too.. too funny!

• The roomies the first night.. two devils, a rocker, and a pirate arrr

• The vacas of the night

Hola que pasa?!!?

First off, Halloween in Barcelona does not compare to the craziness of Santa Barbara, but it was AMAZING. They don't really celebrate it too much here, but there were a couple of parties and clubs that everyone in my program went to. (and reminder drinking age is 16 crazzzzyy!) The first night I was a devil and the second night I was una vaca (cow!) haha it was fun cow tipping my friends all night! Also, this week I had my first Spanish speaking partner and it was quite the experience! They kind of took over both the Spanish speaking time and the English, but it was still good practice, and I definitely want to do it again! Today I went on a field trip to the Picasso museum (again), but this time got to ask my professor all the questions I had. Tomorrow I am off to Sevilla with my program (planned by the program). There are two groups and all my best guy and girl friends are going this weekend so it's going to be a blast, I will fill you in when I get back. Also, I would like to stress what an experience it was to wake up in Spain and find out who the president of the United States was. It was so weird for the election to take place while I am out of the country, making this election twice as grand from me. Also, despite your personal choice, I would like to inform you that people around the world were voting for Obama. American's will now be treated with a little more respect... hopefully. Thats all for now, take care!

with love,

ME :)

HALLOWEEN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

happy birthday ALEXIS!!!!!

In the spirit of Halloween I have a joke..

Why couldn't the witch have babies?

.

..

...

....

.....

......

.......

........

......

.....

....

...

..

.

because her husband had a HALLOWweeny

hheheeh happy holidays, it's not like crazy santa barbara here... but I'm still dressing up ;) that's all that matters

My Parents Visit

• In Sitges I decided to buy a purple wig.. and my mom and I posed with the sand masterpiece of Homer Simpson.. impressive huh!?

• The beaches of Sitges.. too bad it was cold so we couldn't see any nudes! hhaha

• Dadser and I at the top of Monterserrat, such a beautiful view!

• The fab rissotto I made for my parents! :)

• Mommacita and I in Costa Brava

• Mexican Dinner

My parents left last Thursday and I miss them so much! We had so much fun and had time to go on three side trips and some sight seeing of Barca. The first night we planned our week and walked along Las Ramblas, where my dad got gropped by a Nigerian prostitute, and Lynn got real mad and threw the large buff lady off. It was quite interesting. We then went to a bar called Dow Jones where the drinks are sold as if it were the stock market.. prices go up and down according to the sales. It was so much fun! The next day was our first day in Barca, I let the rents sleep in of course and then spent the rest of the day touring. They got to see my  "flat" and experience the stairs of death, which they officially decided that a picture does not do it justice. Later we went to the Picasso museum, which was huge but very interesting because all of the rooms were separated according to the time period. He went through so many changes in his life and it was interesting to see how his art changed as well. That night (Sat) we went out to dinner to a mexican restaurant. They had a live marriachi band and authentic Mexican food! It was so so good, but of course not enough salsa for the spicy king Steve! haha. Sunday we went on a day trip to Costa Brava, which is an hour north of Barca. It is a gorgeous little beach town with hiking along the beach. We enjoyed lunch on the beach, hiking, and a little shopping. That night I invited them over and cooked them dinner. I made rissotto with sausage, chicken, and all types of veggies. They said they loved it.. but who knows! hah. That night I took them to my favorite little Sunday night bar with kareoke called George Paynes. We didn't sing, but my parents got to meet some other parents and meet some of my friends. The next day I got out of class at 12 and we were off to Mount Serrat, which is a monk town on top of a huge hill. We took a cable car up and walk around, it was gorgeous. This trip was filled of laughing and jokes and beautiful sight seeing. That night we went to popular restaurant near my parents apartment called La Fonda. The food was typical Catalon, which for the most part is not my favorite, but I got a spanish omelet and it was delicious. The next day we were off to Sitges, which is an hour south of Barca. It is a small little gay beach town with gorgeous beaches, swanky little shops, and stylish restaurants. We enjoyed the relaxing day walking around, shopping, and eating of course! Sitges was beautiful and I want to go back soon so I can go shopping! When we got back I took them to a really popular shot bar called Chupitos which is shots in Spanish. They light all their shots on fire and some have some that you take out of oranges. Every shot is like a show and a hit place for tourists. The next day was their last day :( we went to breakfast and we had to say our good byes. I had so much fun with them and now I am officially home sick. I miss them so much and want them to come back! Overall we had an amazing time and they lucked out because it is raining all this week! If anyone else wants to visit PLEASE DO! That's all for now. 

Love always,

ME

xoxo

My parents are coming today!!!!!!!!!! :)

Amsterdam

• At the Van Gough museum 

• Some cool building.

• All us in front of the I AMsterdam letters

Hello again,

I just got back from Amsterdam and it was much more than I expected! I wasn't expecting anything spectacular, but I wanted to check it out. Amsterdam turned out being amazing, it was beautiful, filled with tons of canals, leaves that were actually falling to the ground (aka Fall that we don't experience in CA), wonderful food, and tons of sights to see. We had the opportunity to see Anne Frank's house, which I have been interested in since I was a kid. We also got to see the Van Gough museum and the I AMSTERDAM letters. One night we went on a bar crawl which was very similar to Ben and Jilly's but on foot. We met tons of other American's and Aussies. Those Aussies get around, I have met them everywhere! The next day we went on a boat cruise around the canal and learned about the history of Amsterdam. That night we went to the Red Light District, and boy was that interesting. A must see in Amsterdam, but degrading to women. Girls stand in apartment type rooms half naked and eye men until they come in and then they close the drapes. Dirty men! We also roamed a beautiful park with colorful trees, ponds with fountains, and live music. The city was very laid back and pretty. Overall I had a great time!

Post Cards

Hi,

So I have been accumulating post cards that I would love to send to everyone, but I need your addresses. I know that both Aunt Jenny and Aunt Tara wanted me to send one for the girls. I have so many I want to send so PLEASE send me your addresses.

Last week and J'Adore Paris

• The travelers. :)

• Notre-Dame

• One of the beautiful stained glass windows

• Birth of Venus by Bouguereau, one of my favs :)

• Eifel Tower of course

Bonjour!!

Hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all. But it is time to fill you in. Last week I went to Circus de Solei the Quidam show. It was my first one and I loved it! The shapes those people can put their bodies in is UNREAL! On Thursday I went on a field trip with my architecture class. We got to see the casa batllo and casa amatller, both designed by Gaudi. I have a new found love for architecture :) and I got the chance to see more amazing buildings in Paris! We set off on Thursday night and met up with one of our friends that is studying in Rome. We stayed at this happening little hostel with a tiny little club below. The first night we just hung out and learned some French. Friday was our BIG sight seeing day, we went to Notre-Dam cathedral, Musee D'orsay, a little shopping, a nice French lunch, the Opera House, and the eifel tower. Notre-Dam was absolutely beautiful, stained glass windows filled the interior, and once again I loved the architecture. I loved Musee D'orsay, I had the opportunity to see the works of some of my favorite artists such as Bouguereau and Monet. That night we enjoyed a French four course mean for only 10 euros! It was good, fun, and cheap. Our second day we saw the Louve, went to the top of the eifel tower, and saw festivals in the streets, such as a chinese dance. In all I love Paris and I was surprised how large the city was. The metro system was HUGE and confusing, but we figured it out. That's all for now I am jetting off to Amsterdam this weekend so I will keep you all updated. xoxoxox 

Milan and Switzerland

• Canyoning. haha they made us jump like that!

• Castello Sfozesco in Milan

• The cathedral in Milan

• Interlaken.. so pretty!

• The fake looking river.. Interlaken is BEAUTIFUL

Ciao! 

I just got home from an amazing weekend in Milan, Italy and Interlaken, Switzerland. We didn't have school last Weds. so we had a four day weekend and decided to jet off to Milan for fashion week and Interlaken, the adventure sports capital of Europe. We flew into Milan on Weds. night and we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into! We took a taxi to ABC "hotel" more like a "hostel". It was pitch dark outside and inside. We had to buzz in and maze ourselves through the darkness and up some stairs to get to the reception. There was NO ONE in sight. My friends said it reminded them of the movie Hostel, but I refused to see that movie. We got ready real quick and hopped in a cab and managed to tell him to take us to the nicest/most lively restaurant in Milan. He took us to this place called Gininnios. The second we got there we saw Naomi Campbell!! The dinner was delicious, the best Italian food ever! The bill was very pricey but some how some Italians paid for it. The next day we went to Castello Sforzesco, a gorgeous Castle that was used as a military protection. We viewed the cathedral and the city and then we had to go shopping! We mostly window shopped, everything was sooo super expensive. The next day we took a train to Switzerland. We stayed in the most amazing little Hostel called Balmers. It was cute and was the happening place. We met people from all over the world, and even ran into some kids that are studying in Barcelona with us... so random. The next day we went canyon-ing. Interlaken is one of the only places to do it in the world. The best way to explain it is.. its like white water rafting but without the raft. You are constantly jumping off waterfalls, climbing through caves, and repelling down cliffs. It was amazing and soo beautiful. We wore three layers and a helmet.. it was soo cold! That night we got some mexican food... yes they have mexican food in switzerland.. it was soo good! The next day we spent traveling back to Barcelona. It was weird I got this feeling of being happy to go back, Barcelona is officially my home!!:)

My Trip to Pyrenees

• The Creek that ran through the entire walk.

• So pretty!

• The girls, my roommate and I on the ends and the girls in the middle we met here.

Hola!

As many of you don't know as part of my program we have organized trips and field trips. Two weekends ago was our first overnight trip to the Pyrenees Mountains in Northern Spain. It was beautiful, we stayed there for one night and it was so nice to be cold for once! (Barcelona is humid and hot). We left on a Friday and stayed in a very small town named Taull. The population was only 100 people!!! On Saturday we went on a 5 hour hike, more like a nature walk, but it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Rivers snaked throughout and cows roamed throughout the beautiful greenery. It was nice to get out of the city and enjoy nature and the clean air. Our trip was two days and one night, but it was perfect all of you would have loved it!!

A Compilation

• My Room!

• This is our living room and dining room

• The roommates!

• The stair case of DEATH

Hello Family and Friends,

I am so sorry I haven't got this started I have been writing but now I can place them in the BLOG! Thanks Erin for reminding me! :)

Since I have been living here for some time, I will just recap on some things.

FIRST of all I would just like to stress how different the lifestyle is here, it is crazy! Lunch is at 2 and dinner is not until 10pm! First couple of days I was dying, going 8 hours without eating was killer! The nightlife here is also insane, people don't go out until 1am and get home at 5-6am, no wonder they have siesta!! hahah.

 

The first couple of days we stayed in a hotel and had orientation outside the city. We had the chance to meet everyone in our program and learn about what we had in front of us. They provided a bus tour throughout the city and I instantly fell in love. They dropped us off at Park Guell, which was created by Gaudi. It was amazing everything from mosaic ceilings to beautiful arches and lizard statues, I loved it all. The park was designed to be a neighborhood of 600 inhabitants, but the plan fell through. It was interesting to view what was supposed to be the town center and market place. The bus also took us to the Olympic games stadium, the Sagrada Familia, and the Old Port. The Sagrada Familia was first built and planned by Gaudi, it is amazing. Gaudi planned on never finishing the project but his plans caught fire and today there is a defining line between Gaudi's work and the work of others. It is still under construction.

The next day we moved in, and it was quite the trek. The stairs in my apartment are what a like to call the stairs of death. Straight up four flights, which I have gotten used to, but lugging two suitcases 70 pounds each was the hardest thing of my life! It may sound like I over packed, but surprising I didn't! You would all be proud! Anyways, my apartment is AMAZING and I couldn't be happier. We are in the center of Barcelona, in the Barri Gotic, which is the Gothic Quarters. We are a 5 minute walk to campus where as others are a 30 minute metro ride. We lucked out for sure!!! My room is also very spacious, I am sharing a room with my best friend/roommate from college. We each have a queen bed, a nice closet, and a balcony. There are 4 of us living here two singles and our double. One of the singles got jipped big time. She has a twin bed, basically living in a dungeon with one tiny window, you gotta love luck of the draw! hah.

We had a couple of days before we started classes so we spent our time getting organized. CLASSES were horrible at the beginning and definitely took some getting used to. I have class four times a week for four hours straight, and that is a long time for me to sit still!! hah. The classes I'm taking are high intermediate spanish (which pushes me a ton since I am HORRIBLE at spanish as we all know!), art and architecture of Barcelona (I love this one), international marketing, and European Union integration, which I am very interested in.

Stay tuned.. there is more to come on my vacation to pyrenees, milan and switzerland!!!!!!

gotta run but i love you all!