So Sad... I'm Leaving Soon

Sorry for the delay in my writing. I just really haven't really wanted to sit down and write any blog posts. I was trying to savor every moment in Europe while I could. As of today, I will be home in 15 days. Scary to think about. I really want to stay!! =(

Okay, good news is I have so much to talk about. I will start off with the most recent. This past weekend, I went to London, UK. When I say I loved that place, it was definitely an understatement! I absolutely can't stop thinking or talking about it. It's my home, I'm convinced! There are so many cool things I loved about London. I loved the people, the English feel, and the royal highness. At first, before visiting London, I thought the whole royal thing was a bit corny, but now I'm a royal fanatic!
Not a Kate Middleton stalker, but more of a enthusiastic to learn more about the history of the kings and queens of England. I believe it makes England... England!

I took pictures of course. I went to the London Eye, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, did a tour of London, The Penthouse, and wondered around for a while. For only two days, I think that was amazing! I must go back, there was so much I missed!

Belly Dancing in Granada

Last night, I've probably laughed harder than any other night here. About 10 people in my program and I, went belly dancing. I was pretty excited because I love to dance and I have never belly danced before. I was going to have a great time! So our tour guide, Dani, led us down this dark alley. I'm thinking this is some sort of sick joke until we finally saw the dance studio. Helena Rull was the teacher.

She was a very nice woman with a natural talent to move her hips like a Shakira video. I 'thought' I was a great dancer, but I'm not compared to the hip swaying that belly dancing demands. It was an amazing experience. I definitely will go back if time permits. 

I was, however, on the verge of dying from uncontrollable laugher at the tour guide. He couldn't keep up with the dance moves. To put it nicely, he sucked! I was laughing so hard at him, which I think he even got a kick out of, because his moves were too bad to be true. It was hilarious! I had a fantastic time!

Helena Rull and I

Helena, I, Ariah, Ciara

Tour Guide aka Horrible dancer on the left of Helena Rull

The Dance Studio

Hola Chicos

I had a fantastic week!

Well first, this weekend I partied in Sevilla with some friends. It was just a spur of the moment kind of thing, but it was well enjoyed. We took a 3 hour bus ride there and met up with other people in Sevilla. We stayed in Triana Backpackers and it was okay for a hostel. I would recommend for anyone who stays in a  hostel to bring a top sheet or blanket, and also bring shower shoes! If you can't get a private room, bring a lock for the lockers and make sure you keep your things in order if sharing a room with others. Be clean. Be safe. Be courteous.

I had two midterms this week! I did two last week, and the other two were Monday. I passed of course! I think I'm getting better and better at speaking Spanish and being comfortable speaking Spainsh everyday. Practicing really does help. The professor for Spanish grammar, writing, and oral is amazing! She allows the class to talk as much as they'd like about Spanish, while embedding us with Spanish lingo! It's fun and I see a huge difference in my confidence to speak the language. Today, we did intercambio with some Spaniards at the school. They really gave me another perspective on learning a new language because I always complain that spanish-speakers speak too fast! While speaking to them, I was conscious to speak at a normal speed because they would get confused. It's a great experience to get your fluent weight up!

This weekend I will be partying (and studying a little)! I'm pretty excited for Friday because I'm going belly dancing! Can't wait! I'm also going to Morocco next weekend so I will keep you updated! 

Adios Chicos!

I failed miserably!

I had 4 things to do and only did one! Sorry guys! I really tried! I got so sick on Thursday and that pretty much ruined my whole weekend. I was supposed to head to Seville and Cordoba with my program, but ended up staying at home to better myself, get rest, and study. Maybe I'll go one day.

I did, however, eat a shawarma! Tasty!!! It was the best treat I'd had since I got here! I have chicken and falafel, which was A-Mazing! Ahhh... I love shawarma!

Thursday night, I got really sick. This flu turned into tracheitis and the ambulance had to come and inject me with something to make me breathe. I was so SCARED!!! I was intaking a miserably 30% oxygen and I could feel my body shutting down. My hands were purple, my left side was numb, and I was trying to just breathe! I couldn't. Friday morning, I went to get x-rays, checked out and given a stronger asthma pump to help with the breathing issues. Something is seriously attacking my body here!! Hopefully, I find out exactly what's making me sick before it gets to that point again! 

I have a midterm on Tuesday, which I've been preparing for. I'm pretty ready! I love my level of Spanish because, now, I feel like I can actually speak Spanish. That's great. 

Hola Chicos!

Everything has been going relatively smoothly so far. I pretty much have a study day, a cleaning day, a club/party day, I travels most weekends, and during the week is all school and extra-curricular activities. 

So far, I am going to Cordoba, Seville, Rome, London, Morocco, Madrid, and Barcelona. Whew!

I know it's a lot of traveling, but who knows when I'll be back in Europe. I'm just trying to make the best of it and carpe dieming! lol

I really wanted to go to paris, but it doesn't look like it will happen! Hopefully, I will be able to come back with my family or friends to go to Disneyland. Can't wait!

I also am considering the Arab bath, here in Granada. I've been to Jeju Spa in Atlanta, so I'm pretty sure it's the same concept. I more than likely will just take advantage of the massages and hopefully they have a sauna. I'm not really a public bath person. It really just freaks me out by thinking about it, so I'll pass. 

I keep hearing about this wrap called "shawarma". I really want to try that while I'm here in Granada. I also ordered my first delivery pizza here. It took me a good 25 minutes to do that. But now, I really know my take out! 

I am sick, once again. Pretty much the whole weekend was a miserable one. I can't seem to knock this virus! Ugh! But I know I will get it together! Pray for me!! 

Okay... I will speak to you again after I've accomplished my to-do list:

- Eat a shawarma 

- Go to the Arab Bath

- Take a dance/art course

- SEVILLE & CORDOBA this weekend!! 

Missing home!

You don't miss what you had, until it's gone. True story. I notice the small things that I took advantage of while at home; like being able to go to the doctor when I'm sick, driving to the grocery store, calling and texting people for the simplest things without hesitation, eating whatever I want whenever I want, telling people that I don't eat pork and they give me other options, watching tv with my mom, beating up my little brother (always), seeing my sister laugh, my cousins and grandma asking me to drive them places... the list could go on. Many of these things I complained about in he past, but I'm glad I have a family to come home to on December 21st. So many people don't have that. I'm grateful. However, coming to Spain was the best decision I could've made. I'm definitely enjoying it!!!

Lagos, my favorite place

Sorry! I've been slacking. I was supposed to write on Sunday but I was busy on the bus heading back home (Granada) from Lagos, Portugal. Yes, I finally went! Glad I did. I almost didn't go because it was just so hectic all last week with me trying to overcome the flu and getting back and forth to class everyday. But I got all of my homework done on Thursday night, packed, and headed to the bus! We started leaving from Granada to Seville to pick up other people who were coming along on the trip. Once we did that, around 10:30am, we were headed for Portugal.

Once we arrived, we unloaded and headed to the hotel rooms to get ready for the beach. Arrived at the beach, and had so much fun. I played volleyball for the first time in my life and found out that I'm actually pretty good. I might be training for the next for years for the Olympics, but we'll see. :)

I also went to Nah Nah Bar to eat the Top 50 Burger in the world. It was completely AMAZING!!! Lagos is a definite must see before you die. The caves, the beach, the sand feels like a cashmere blanket in your feet. I saw the "End of the World" and it is definitely the end of the world. You can't see anything! Just my luck that my battery died in my camera and phone and I was unable to take pics. But I happened to jump in a few of my friends pics and they took some of me! Thanks guys.

I also had so much fun at a few bars and clubs. Lagos' night life= LIFE! The bars are so much fun. We happen to go to one and the owner was American. He played country music for us... which I'm pretty ignorant about, but it felt like home. I enjoyed it. The clubs are great, too. For some reason whenever I go out, I seem to have the biggest audience for my dancing. I had a few drinks so I might have exuded Beyoncé in my dance moves. Ha!! I had a great time though.

I'm so lucky to have gone to Portugal. I'm really grateful! Hopefully you will be able to do so!