Several Significant Statements Sobre Studying in Spain this Spring

For you non-Spanish speakers, “sobre” means “about.” I just didn’t want to spoil this entire alliteration thing I had going on with the title. Also, there are more than just several statements…again, couldn’t ruin the alliteration. Sorry about the brief deception.

1)  It’s only been two days and I recommend coming here with all my heart. I LOVE it! Everything is so lovely. Flowers all over the place. Beautiful beautiful old buildings…seriously, fantastic architecture that is centuries upon centuries old.  Street musicians. Quaint outdoor cafes. Clean. A plethora of parks and plazas. Cobble stone streets. Lots of little stores and stands. Charming atmosphere.  Are you sold yet? Because I definitely am.

I realized I forgot to take a picture of the streets here...so I snapped

one from where I'm sitting right now (Plaza de Cervantes).

2)    Cervantes was born here in Alcala. He’s an important dude. Know him and Don Quixote at all costs. Or you can just feel like an idiot. Let’s just say, I was very glad I had sparknoted the book before coming. Oh, and extra credit points with the teacher if you can pull out a copy of Don Quixote in Spanish out of your backpack and say you’re reading it…like one of the kids in our group did. No lie. He was carrying around all six million pages of it. Now that’s a real overachiever right there.

Chilling with Don Quixote.

       

Me and my buddy Sancho. In front of la casa de Cervantes. 

3) Soccer, or futbol as they call it here, is also a big deal. A group of us watched the game (Real Madrid vs. Barcelona) in a bar in Alcala. When we first walked in and sat down around the screen, everybody’s head swiveled toward us. It was pretty awkward. Surprised looks from the guys. Death stares from the girls. But fifteen minutes into the game, we were an accepted part of the group. And then it was so much fun it was ridiculous. Everybody was around our age. Oh, and this was the biggest game of the year. We cheered for Real Madrid. Unfortunately, Barcelona was better, and they beat us 2-0. Kind of sad. The Barcelona fans had no qualms about telling us we lost. Both in Spanish and English. “You…lose…lost…!!!”

A group of us girls at the bar.

4) I brought an adapter with me to Spain…I totally forgot about getting a converter.  I plugged in my straightener and it started smoking. I thought , how weird. And then it ceased to smoke. Um…whoops. I now have a broken straightener. So if you feel like buying me a new straightener, feel free. Or an adapter would be nice too. Actually, I’ll take both, thanks. I didn't take a picture of this one...But imagine me with a sad face + a broken straightener and you've pretty much got it.

5) I’m living with a great family. They’re really nice. But we have a lot of little rules. Like how to shut the door. I received a one-on-one tutorial on how to close the bedroom and bathroom doors with the least amount of noise. We can only shower during the afternoon/night.  And those showers need to be limited to five minutes. Five minutes?!? But, Laura and I have done it. We. Have. Done. It. And will continue to do it. Oh, I’m so proud. I think that’s probably as bad as culture shock is going to get for me, so I’m feeling gooooood.

This is the outside of my house. We live in a townhouse type
deal inside of the gate. Oh, and there are roses everywhere here.

6) Living with a host family is a great way to really eat Spanish food. Our food is fantastic…like really, it is tasty. I would just never ever order what we eat at a restaurant. For example, we ate fish soup for lunch. I don’t eat sea food. An overwhelming desire to be polite is a great motivator though and I ate it all. By the time I had finished my bowlful, I had decided it wasn’t too bad. I can’t decide whether the food here is healthier or not. I definitely eat way more vegetables and fruit. But man, olive oil by the SPOONFUL.  And there’s a lot of deep-fried food. It’s olive oil though. That’s how I justify eating it.

7)    Speaking of food, the bread, juice, and yogurt here is better by 100000000X. Haley can testify to the fact that I eat lots of yogurt at home. Well, good thing we don’t have Spanish yogurt in Provo or I would probably eat even more.

8) I used to dislike the Provo road naming system. Well, I’m madly in love with it now. Laura and I have gotten lost out of our minds in the twisty, winding, cobble-stoned streets of Alcala twice now. Yesterday began with us leaving our house to go to school…at 8:30. School started at 9:00, but the bus ride is like 10 minutes, so we weren’t too worried. Well, we got on the right bus going the wrong way. We were on the flipping bus for an hour. After about 35 minutes of suffering on the bus, I got up the nerve to ask the bus driver if we were close to the Plaza of Cervantes. He stared at me. He thought, What an American idiot…And then he told me it was a long ways away, to just sit down, and that he would tell us when to get off.  We finally arrived…and then we couldn’t find the school. The bad thing with it being such an old building is that 95% of the buildings here are old. We found it eventually…and finally arrived at our classroom over an hour late. P.S. Actually, I’m kind of in love with the twisty, winding, cobble-stoned streets of Alcala, at least whenever I’m not lost. Call it an affair, if you will.

I also love all the fountains. This particularly famous fountain happens to be in Madrid.
However, there are tons of fountains in Alcala as well.

9) El Prado is huge. It’s full of beautiful art. Oh, and it’s huge. You need lots of time. But even more than that, you need lots of stamina.  I am convinced that it takes a lot of energy to appreciate art because by the end of it all, I felt like I had just run the Provo half-marathon again.

Laura (my roommate) and I outside
of the Prado Museum.

10)   Do not wear tshirts. Or sweats. Also, never go barefoot in the house. Our mom is convinced that we will catch our death of cold should we ever walk on the tile floors without shoes on.

11)    Jet lag is over-hyped (if that’s a word). I was way tired the day I got here. But since then, I have had barely any problems with it. I’m hoping for the same kind of luck on the return trip. Especially because classes start at BYU the day after I get back.

12) I love Spain.

And churros. And chocolate caliente.

i love you most, best, forever.

At least that's what my little sister tells me.

My dad picked me up from the airport Thursday night. As we were driving home, he updated me on life around the house...a piece of which was "Jeremiah's room is always neat. Evelyn's room is always messy. In fact, it's usually so messy that she really has no idea where to even begin to pick it all up."

I walked through the door of mi casa around midnight. As my mom hugged me, she told me that Evelyn had picked up her entire room. For me. By herself. Now that's pure love right there--coming straight from a four-year-old.

Evelyn was thrilled to find me in her room the following morning and woke me up by jumping all over me. She's been glued to my side the entire weekend.

I told her I had to leave tomorrow and asked her if she'd miss me. She sighed and said, "Yeah." And then, "Will you miss me?"

"Of course."

"Don't worry, Emily. You'll make friends at college who'll talk to you too."

little miss evelyn herself.

Thanks, darling. Love you most, best, and forever too.

two more days of finals.

         It's 11:15 and I'm sitting in the library. I'll be here till 2:00am. Then very loud music will come on over the speakers and all us students will be released from this self-inflicted library stuDYING.
         Cheryl and I are pros at this entire staying at the library for ridiculous amounts of time.
         My brain is fried. I feel like I have been cramming physics into it for hours...but that I still don't know anything about physics. It is a strange feeling. Here's to remembering it all when I'm actually sitting in the testing center. I have my doubts, but at least I'm trying.
         Also, I strongly dislike group projects. I admit it--I can be a perfectionist sometimes. I WANT my good grade, dang it. The fact that I care so much means that I often end up with a lot of work. Oh, there needs to be a powerpoint? I can do that. Nobody wants to do the brochure. Fine, I guess I can do it. Everybody hates public speaking? Well, guess I could take care of that too. I know I shouldn't. But our group should get a pretty rocking grade at least. I shouldn't complain. I'm just a tad tired. Blahhhh.
         Tomorrow I'm studying some more. Taking my physics exam. Finishing the brochure for that group project. Memorizing my half of the group presentation. Sleep sleep sleep.
         I'll wake up Wednesday and I have another meeting for that group project to run things through. I'll pack. Take care of a last few things on campus. Help give our HNRS202 presentation that night. Then finals are DONE.
         I'll clean and pack throughout the night. Leave for home the next day. :)
         Finals this semester really haven't been too bad. Plus, on this night of library-lateness, Cheryl snuck some frozen yogurt into the library and totally surprised me. Made all this studying better by one hundred times infinity. Infinity, people. The librarian never came around so nobody told me to toss it or put it away (you can't just put away frozen yogurt, lady). I ate it in complete happiness. Pretty sure the strangers sitting across from me were jealous times infinity. I would have been.

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't" (Shakespeare).

In one week, I will be done with all my finals for this semester. I fly home the day after that.

That means that in exactly one week, my summer officially begins.

I get to go home. See my family. Play with my little sister. Tease my little brother. Eat my mom's cooking. Talk with my dad. Hang out with my friends.

And then I depart for one heck of a European summer.

This last week in Provo though...will be utter madness. It's a flurry of trying to study, take exams, have final good-bye get-togethers, pack, clean my apartment, move everything to storage, pay all my bills....

For some strange reason, I'm not that stressed out. Maybe it's the calm before the storm...

Or maybe I've just realized that life has a strange way of always working out.

I've learned a lot of things this semester. But most of all, I think I've probably learned that I'm not enough for me. I can't be everything I want to be just on my own. But I've also learned that God is there for me every step of the way and He makes up the difference. Sometimes, in the moments I was the most frustrated, the most angry, the most upset this semester, I had to go outside and walk around the block a couple times. I tended to begin these walks just venting--telling God that if I was trying to do all the right things, I just didn't see why things couldn't work out for me. 

It was at these moments--when I gave up and realized that I couldn't do it on my own--that I probably felt the closest to God. It took taking me almost to my breaking point for me to remember to turn to God and tell Him that I needed His help. And He gave me it. Things worked out. Sometimes almost miraculously.

Sorry about the sermon. But basically, maybe that's why I'm not super stressed out about all this upcoming madness. I can't do anything other than my best--and then the Lord will do the rest.

And the final ten days. Done.

Consider this thirty day photo challenge completed. Very much fast-forwarded, but finished. :)

Day 21: a picture of something you want
I want there to not be hungry children 
going to sleep every night.
Both here in the U.S. and in third world countries.
It's a problem everywhere.
Maybe I'll be able to do something more to help someday.
Who knows?

Day 22: a picture of something you wish you were better at.
I definitely wish I could dance.
Really dance.

Day 23: a picture of your favorite book.
This is utterly impossible. Depends.
But as far as just-for-fun-guilty-pleasure-reading goes...
Harry Potter.

Day 24: a picture of your favorite sports team.
I hardly ever watch sports.
But I did follow BYU basketball this year.
They were pretty legit.

Day 25: a picture of your day.
Today's been pretty grungy.
It's nasty outside.
So no makeup. tshirt. sweats. couch. Comfy-ness.
Divine.

Day 26: a picture of something that means a lot to you.
My faith means a lot to me.
And so do temples.

Day 27: a picture of yourself and a family member.
My sissy and I back in summer 2009.
:)

Day 28: a picture of something you're afraid of.
Spiders.
Just looking at this picture is making my stomach churn.

Day 29: a picture of your celebrity crush.
Zachary Levi, folks.
Chuck AND Flynn Rider?
Speechless.

Day 30: a picture of what you want to be when you get older.
A brilliant food scientist, 
taking on the problems of the world one at a time.
Oh, and a spectacular wife and mom too. Definitely.

And the next ten days...

I've decided this entire thirty day photo challenge is rather tedious....and that I don't want to do it every day until it's done. I also don't like not finishing what I start. So, I'll just finish it all up in the next two days. Ten today. Ten tomorrow. Boom. Here goes!

Day 11: a picture of something you hate.
Peanut butter.
Hate's a strong word.
But I strongly dislike it.

Day 12: a picture of something you love
Tulip Time in downtown Holland (MI).
It's outstanding. Promise.

Day 13: a picture of your favorite band or artist.
There's so many. And it depends on my mood.
But Regina Spektor is definitely up there.

Day 14: a picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Oh my goodness, I love my little sister.
So freaking much.

Day 15: a picture of something you want to do before you die.
There are so many things I want to do.
One of them is run a marathon. :)

Day 16: a picture of someone who inspires you.
Not so much a someone as an entire nation.
The strength and fortitude of the Japanese people in the wake of the disaster of this recent tsunami has truly inspired me. Keep them in your prayers.

Day 17: a picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
General Conference was just this past weekend. I love the guidance that the Lord provides.
The encouragement and the inspiration.
I know that God lives and that He loves us.

Day 18: a picture of your biggest insecurity.
Um, yeah.
Enough on that.

Day 19: a picture and a letter.
Dear testing center,
please be nice to me for the next two weeks.

Day 20: a picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
I've been to Mexico. Going to Europe.
Next pit stop: Korea.
And then Africa.
And Australia.

fast forward the nine next days.

As far as this 30 day photo challenge goes anyways. Actually, this is me a couple weeks later...I'm just combining these first nine posts into one post. To make things a little simpler. :)

Day 2: person you've been the closest to for the longest.

Probably my brother. I've known him for all but 18 months of my life. We've come a long way. My mother tells me I was a jealous little toddler. In fact, I once poured milk and cracked eggs all over him while he was taking a nap on the couch. I also tried to cut his hair when I was four. Don't judge me. I got in trouble both times.

Despite any early premonitions, I now think Jon's pretty cool. He goes to UofM. He's studying mechanical engineering and we've been in the same grade since freshman year of high school. He's great about making me feel better after I send him angry texts belittling my physics/chem teachers and their awful tests. He's really funny and very smart. He also introduced me to Chuck. And he put music on my ipod and shipped it out to me. PLUS, he's studying abroad in France this summer and I'll get to meet up with him in Europe. To me, that is spectacular. Yeahh. Definitely my brother.

Day 3: your favorite tv show

First place: Chuck is the personal fave. =]

The episodes are like Lays potato chips--can't [watch] just one.

Coming in at a close second place would be Modern Family. 

It's so funny.

Plus, the episodes are only a half hour long. Making them perfectly acceptable to watch on school nights.

Day 4: a picture of your night

At this very moment, Haley and I are diligently (?) studying in the Tanner building. 

We also went to Wendy's for dinner.

Their fries just might be the next best thing to Life cereal.

I love 'em. 

Well, on to further studying.

=]

Day 5: a picture of your favorite memory

Gabriel, Erynn, me, and Lauralee after one of our waterfights.

Seriously, Mexico gave me so many favorite memories.  I would recommend studying abroad to anybody and everybody. Easily one of the best experiences of my life. 

Day 6: a picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

Well, I've kind of already done this...right here.  But for all intents and purposes...right here right now...I would be a doctor.

I could never really be a doctor. I hate needles and get queasy at the mere thought of gruesome, bloody injuries. All the pressure and stress of making the right medical decisions for a countless number of patients every day would probably get to me too.

But doctors are special people. I admire them.

And if I could, I would get my degree. And then I would most definitely participate in Doctors Without Borders. Just a day in those shoes...that would be awesome.

Day 7: a picture of your most prized possession.

Well, originally, I had a picture of my family. They're not exactly a possession. But they're definitely mine. And they're prized. Unfortunately, the post got deleted. So just imagine the best family possible and you've pretty much got the right image in your head. 

Day 8: a picture that makes you laugh

This picture makes me laugh for a number of reasons.

1) I love this girl, Aubrey Boyer, to death. She always makes me laugh. Even though I haven't seen her in ages.

2) This is the first time I got roped into playing the skittles game. It's the most sickly sweet, kind of disgusting, endlessly hilarious, girls camp classic, sugar-high-inducing game you will ever play.

3) The "girls camp look." Let me explain. No makeup. Tshirts. Ponytails. Sweatiness. Oh, and putting off taking showers as long as possible because the bathrooms were so gross. Three days is my record. But believe me, I was in the vast majority. Nobody liked taking showers. Many made it longer than I did.

4) It brings back memories of screaming about spiders and then valiantly trying to squish them for the sake of the 14 year old girl who was looking up to you as the mature, unafraid YCL. Further memories include trying to prank the first years, making the best hobo dinners in the world, strengthening your relationship with Christ, playing the cup game during lunch, loving your girls, and best of all, not even caring what you looked like because there were no boys to impress.

Day 9: a picture of the person that has gotten you through the most

These two years of college could have been totally different without the roommate I have. You know, college--stressful, fast-paced, work-intensive--college. It could have been so awful. Instead, it's been amazing. This girl has seen me at my worst moments. She's probably familiar with all my weird quirks and personality glitches. And we're still friends. It's wonderful always having someone I know I can trust to be there for me. :)

You da bestest, Haley! Love you!

Day 10: a picture of the person you do the craziest things with.

Dear Rosalind Decker, I miss you!