Monday, May 26, 2008

the most epic last night of anyone's study abroad ever

As Jess, Rachel, and I left 128 Fuencarral to head towards dinner we had no definite plans for what would follow. The rain was bumming us out, I was still not packed, and Jess and I were trying to resolve our very mixed emotions about leaving the next morning. Dinner at Ginger was perfect, good food and good atmosphere. Two hours and two bottles of wine later going home was simply no longer an option. Instead, I spidey-sensed us to a flamenco bar near Plaza Mayor where we obviously sat in the VIP section. We hung around for a bit, sipping on glasses of sangria and watching the male flamenco dancers love their lives, before walking through Plaza Mayor towards Sol. For some reason I decided that we needed to go to Joy so after dropping "Drika's list" and sweet talking the bouncers we were able to skip the line and go in for gratis. The three of us bee-lined straight to the not so crowded dance floor where we took over and soon attracted quite a crowd. After helping a group of guys celebrate a bachelor party we exited and headed towards Madrid's statue of the bear and the tree. With some help from strangers, we were able to get up on the statue and cuddle our osito. Within twenty seconds various groups of people stopped to snap some pictures of us and two randos got up on the statue as well. After posing for a few minutes, some policia pulled up with their sirens on prompting us to jump six feet to the ground, grab our various belongings and scream "RUN!!!!" as if what was happening were the most epic event in history. We caught a cab on Gran Via and piled into it in a fit of giggles. Content with the events of our perfectly Madrileno night, we headed home. The next morning was spent trying to shove my belongings into my suitcases while arguing with Miguel about weight limits. I ended up having to trade Maggie my medium suitcase for her extra large one so that everything could fit. After all the bags were zipped we said some teary goodbyes, Maggie and Miguel helped me into a cab, and I took in some of my last sights of Madrid on my way to the airport. Jess and I went a little crazy with the shopping, determined to spend the last of our euros (and maybe charge some things too...no biggie), and were called for boarding before we knew it. The flight was smooth, Jess ate the majority of both of our meals, while I was all about the "mas pan?" When we touched down in JFK, we did a double high five, followed by a hug, both of which drew some strange looks from our fellow passengers. After customs and baggage we walked through the doors into the arms of our fans (aka parents), parted ways, and now we're home!
Flamenco


queens of the dance floor


i love you Osito!!


not even messing around


goodbye familia :(


Miguel trying to act like he's not crying


omg we're home!!

last weekish in madrid


Last GNO :(
dinner at Gloria de Montera, drinks at the Terrace bar (but not on the Terrace), and hugs, tears, and goodbyes in front of McDonalds with various homeless men



Jess turns 21!! cuppies galore.



last weekend trip to Mallorca



loving life, obvs



free fifth row tickets to real madrid vs levante
this picture was taken after one of our various goals :)

Monday, May 19, 2008

1-20

1. my computer's power cord broke which means
2. i don't have a computer and
3. i'm forced to use the ones at my school or maggie's or miguel's and
4. i'm having trouble writing my two papers that are due tomorrow but
5. i changed my flight to the 24th so
6. i'm going home on saturday!! which is good because
7. i now live in the living room of my homestay but at least
8. it has a giant tv in it where
9. i watched Amelie with Maggie and Maria Rosa the other night after
10. jess and i ate gloria the night after
11. we saw Elegy and
12. the man working at the movie theater loves his job just like
13. the two guys i met last night who work for Levante who
14. gave Maggie, Judith and I three free tickets to last night's game against Madrid and
15. we got to sit in the fifth row and
16. there's construction outside that woke me up at 830 am but at least
17. i think i finished draft 1 of my paper and so
18. i guess i'll edit it and made draft 2 now and
19. if i don't have two packages waiting for me at instituto....
20. correos better watch their backs.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

the one month countdown has begun

In 26 days I will be boarding a flight from Madrid to New York. But before I touch down on American soil here's my to-do list:
  • two final exams
  • two econ tests
  • four page paper
  • fifteen page group paper
  • group presentation
  • eight hours with Frida
  • three Sunday mornings at Rastro
  • nine yoga classes
  • at least one final trip to the museum trio
  • three days in Mallorca
  • learn how to make Maggie's sauce
  • Topshop (I still haven't been!)
  • attempt to waken the Cookie Nuns again
  • buy pillowcases from NaturHouse for cuddlegan
  • take some film pictures
And once I do land back in the States here's my immediate to-do list:
  • cuddle Isabelle, then the dogs, and maybe Lizzie
  • hide under my down comforter
  • do lots of laundry so I can use a dryer
  • Charmanda
  • plan a sorgz reunion
  • see my Cheetahs
  • text Bretty
  • make my Mom make me dinner (I'm thinking grilled salmon, asparagus, and mashed potatoes...)
  • go to the grocery store and binge on baby goldfish, REAL diet coke, and non-Spanish almonds
  • go to Starbucks and reintroduce sugar-free vanilla syrup to my system
  • manicure and pedicure
  • speak A LOT of English
  • see if I remember how to drive
  • try to contact Stina on a cowboy farm
And, since we're in a listy mood, things I'm excited for this summy:
  • living with Dana!
  • getting back into my usual baking habits (aka at least 2 batches of cuppies a week)
  • adventures with Charlotte and graham cracker crusted cupcakes
  • finding fabric to make pillowcases for my bed and curtains for Hogan 3C4 :)
  • pancakes and garage sales with Gram
  • trips to Target with Robbie
  • lunching with Jess at Conde Nast and reminiscing about Spain
  • texting Bretty
  • cheetahs every day
  • weekends at Naisy's
  • trips to the pool with Dad, Carolann, and Scoob
  • 1020
  • keeping in touch with and seeing my Madrid lovies
  • Mexico in August and my 21st birthday
And lastly, two orders of business:
I've done it again!




and I bought a flower

That is all!