Las cosas que yo hago...

Greetings from afar...

Just as my internet, class schedule, and ability to effectively communicate with the entire population has been a little spotty and unpredictable in the past 2 weeks, so has my blogging skills.  Therefore, I apologize and would like to update mi vida en España and recount mainly how the pieces are starting to fall in place -- with daily routines, sightseeing, and the people.   

My day to day life is starting to return to normal again -- or as normal as studying abroad in a foreign country gets.  I'm finally used to the eating schedule: 8:00/9:00 am breakfast, 12:00 lunch, 2:30 "comida", 9:30 pm tapas.  While my staples usually consist of bocadillos (sandwiches), balsamic on everything, and oranges,  I have been branching out and cooking some authentic spanish food. Yes!  I can cook with the help of the internet, metric conversions, and google translate to tell me what parsley means in spanish. (It's perejil by the way).  I, along with 2 other girls, even made paella!

Along with eating habits falling into place, my class are almost locked in.  Since the process the exchange students last, I've been attending classes that I haven't really been in.  But, (fingers crossed) I will only have class on Wednesday and Thursday.  Though those entire days are basically spent in class, that gives me time on Monday and Tuesday to work and then Friday to leave early to travel and sightsee! :)

Speaking of sightsee, being in Europe gives a whole new meaning to going to church, the bank, and downtown in general!  I've been able to see several churches and the marketplace in el centro (center of Valencia).  Next on my list is the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Valencia and the zoo!

(Two of the churches in 'el centro')



Lastly, I've been able to tone down the parties a tad (it's not as fun when I'm legal now..jaja).  Though we still find the time to go out and check out the downtown scene - filled with good ole' american music (Grease Lighting soundtrack was on last night), I'm ready to do a bit more traveling!! This upcoming weekend the plans are to go to Alicante, a town that is about 3 hours south of Valencia.  Pues, 2 days of class and then we're out!

-- Some pictures of my closer girl-friends.  2 are from the US and the other 2 are from Germany.  I'll at least be traveling with to Alicante with the two US girls (Megan and Courtney), so I'm sure you'll see them in more pictures to come.  --


Much love and besos,

Stephanie

Que me vuelvan a la realidad...

Finalmente, I'm fully settled into my apartment in Valencia where I will be for the remainder of my study abroad.  A lovely and quaint apartment (right across from the fútbol stadium), I'm sharing a flat with a guy from Morocco and one from Germany.  My room isn't that big, but we have a large kitchen, living room with a lot of light, and a dishwasher - which is a RARE appliance here.  I think I'm living in luxury. 

                       (Downtown Valencia)                                  (My apartment >> 10th floor!!)


Along with the perk of no longer having to live out of a suitcase, the reality of school sets in.  The enclosed campus is so different from Madison, but very beautiful and there are actually palm trees and since the weather is nice, plenty of grassy areas to sit and relax/study on.  I have registered for classes and officially start class at 7:15 tonight.  HOWEVER, since I'm going to the Valencia/Barcelona soccer game tonight I'll be skipping my class and starting for real tomorrow. :) (Really, who would pass up the chance to see the #1 team in Spain play to go to school?)

               (The Stadium doors)




(campus)

And lastly, all in all, my 21st birthday was a success as well - celebrating the end of the Gandia era, and now hopefully settling into a lifestyle "más tranquilo."  You know...travel a little, see the museums, study, work, speak spanish....eat tapas, drink vino, and then on top of all that, sleep more.  These are my goals. 


Besos!

Stephanie