April 3, 2009 Friday

So today was a day that kind of day that people have said "if you play with fire you are going to get burned...."
During the day today I attempted to get work done, but Enrique kept bugging me with juice boxes and cute comments. I hate when guys are so good with their words like calling you darling and rubbing their fingers down your cheek. It gets to girls.

Erin and I did our Letuca lunch. We sat there forever and just chatted. "Rather waste some time with you." kind of day. I have been listening to the Used lately. I feel asleep to that song playing on Steve's computer the first night I was here, and that was my favorite song during one of the happiest summers of my life. But I love my lunches with Erin. We relate on so many levels and that is why she is amazing! I went home and attempted to nap but a local guy we will call Burton (cuz he promised me he would give me his shirt after I leave) called to hangout. He is a local and I get the best learning experiences with locals so i was like why not. He picked me up in his car and we had a great conversation. But in the end I know I am nothing to him. But I don't want to be because in reality i still have feelings for my ex. But he rode me home on his scooter and I felt like Hilary Duff and Paolo in the Lizzie McGuire movie and I could sea the sea in the background and we sped in and out of traffic and it was the perfect European ride. It was the most gorgeous ride. And Burton's house was so nice, contemporary and modern. His brother was a sweetie and blond as well.
And I was supposed to go out with the girls tonight but I decided to go on a date (yet I paid for most my meal) with Wendy. We went to the coolest Catalan restaurant that had amazing food, and it was fun. I ate the best grilled chicken and it was one of the most amazing meals I have had here. We walked and he drove me to one of the most beautiful spots in Barcelona. We offroaded up the mountain of Tibedado. The monastery was glowing yellow and the Ferris wheel was glowing all different colors and it was like we were in a music video. The view was gorgeous. It didn't even feel like we were in Barcelona anymore. Just a quiet woodsy look out point with the stars out, the sea in the back and the whole city glowing below us. It was perfect. And i was having a blast listening to akon driving through the hilly narrow roads at night.
But the situation was taken too far in the end. He assumed all girls are easy and I was one of them. I honestly don't feel comfortbale kissing people in private locations (not on the dancefloor) ect at this point in my life. But he was just very pushy but nice at the same time. I hate that I was so naive and i hate pushy guys.
I don't want to get into it, but I played with fire and got burned.
I will move on, but something positive is I saw the prettiest view of the city. I don't know. I love it here. But I hate how guys only want a piece of ass. Even my ex back home from high school is like "i loveyour boobs" and its so sad they cant love more. its like a slap in my face.
Greece Tomorrow.
I can not wait.

April 2, 2009 THURSDAY

Currently working on our Greecian beach bodies by eating cookies.
I want the rain to go away.
And I hate arragonace...
But the Girls and Pan make me laugh.
and a couple sweet texts help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qExd-3oCTl4
obsessed still :) I love how the past 3 months this is all I sing.
But yesterday Abba Dancing Queen was on the radio! That makes me so happy! And they are like "this song is so popular".. Jazz would have been so pumped...
But this song is addicting. My senora said everyone is Barcelona knows the lyrics. Dad would love it! Its addicting:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zvz2GJaIqI

And I was upset tonight so my senora let me play my music at dinner. No more Bob Dylan haha. She was obsessed there for a while. And she liked Every Avenue and Three days grace... But her favorite was LFO....And She wanted to take me to a movie cuz i was upset ( over dumb boys haha, and stress, and I can't believe classes are getting done!) We actually get full conversations out that flow, and we just know what we are saying. I love it.

And I was bummed so Enrique came and we drove around and talked. We talked about politics, and like Luis he can speak so many languages. He is completely fluent in 5! How!? I have no idea! But we talked about the Spanish government, and how he is proud to be Spanish and doesn't want Barcelona to split. We talked about Pepe and Zapapto, and global warming. It was so deep. We worked on my Spanish, and he taught me slang like "tio". It's weird how guys say te amo in the conversation.
I love how intelligent guys are here! It was amazing just sitting there having full conversations with him. And he has seen the world. He has traveled everywhere, and knows so much about American culture. The past two weeks I have been sucking up the Spanish language....And I use my Spanish sources. When I am confused Luis will help me figure it out!

At Pan today we ate cookies and muffins. The girls pigged out together. It was amazing. That is how we roll with our spring break bodies:) We went to the store and bought booze and shit food and at pan had a thanksgiving fest! I can't wait for greece. AHHH IOS, ATHENS AND SANTERINI. and I HEARD IOS IS AMAZING!

Lainey and I walked to the fountains and Olympic Stadium. We found the Barcelona Penis:) Gotta love artwork!
I AM GETTING SOOOOO EXCITED :)

Its one am and Maria Rosa just brought me Pan con Chocolate! wtf so unhealthy. but amazing. I am hooked, damn white carbs. And pan con tomatoe is sooo good!

AND I GOT A PART TIME INTERNSHIP:) and its paid:) The night is becoming even better:)

Mon 30-April 1st, brief!

So my life has been chaotic, but amazing. Mallorca was the perfect pre spring break away, and it was so much fun. I will attempt to blog that, but I haven't even gotten to switzerland haha! whoops!:)
so i will bullet point my past couple days and potentially fill in the blanks later.
Monday: NASTY MONDAYS.

We first pre pregamed at Erin's friend's hostel. It was amazing, and just like a party inside a nice hotel. There was wii, a bar, computers, fun music, and lamps! It was amazing! I love hip hostels. So far my experiences have not been that great! Steve and I had a sketch night, and we scared the Swiss lady away with our farts and nudity! Then we pregamed at pepe's and went to the best club in town. I got a glass dropped on my foot and it bled, but it was still an amazing rock club experience. Nasty Monday's are defiantly a highlight of Barcelona! I LOVE NASTY MONDAY'S. It is full of locals, and everyone from our program goes aswell. So it is a perfect blend. A girl from Sweden bought me two drinks!

Tuesday:
A day of Pan :) enough said
90's flashback
pop music
singing out loud.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1BrdJQiLGk
or Rabbi's son's from canada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KluRW21oAiY
we also were amazed with Sound of Music
I LOVE 90's flashback days
and not getting shit accomplished.
Barcelona has too many distractions.
and my teacher was right when he said you can't get anything done in the city.
but i love it
and i am happy,

Wednesday
Today was the last day of my favorite class. I am failing it because of my skipping of midterm, but no matter what I laugh so hard in it. All my memories of school here will include Spanish. A bunch of burnout partiers, and fun personalities. Today we had to do our oral and Jody, Erin and I created the best one. Especially with Pan con Tomate. The best part of my day was lunch. Katie, Erin, Jody and I, "The friends group" had an hour and a half lunch at Lechuga. We cried laughing so hard. We reminisced, and planned. Most was about Spanish, and Katie's confusion on confusion, and Jody's crushes, and Erin's obsession with squid ink. NEVER EAT BLACK RICE. "It's so popular here-Erin" that is because it is squid ink.
NASTY.
IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST TIME I HAVE HAD WITH MY GIRLS
Class was super short, and since tomorrow is the last official day of all classes, my life is going to hell with finals, but spring break Greece is shoved in there. And i miss Natalie today. I hung out with Luis in his office today for two hours, (that was productive haha). We listened to music, and he helped me with my pronunciation and attempted to teach my Chinese. Didn't work. He wrote all over my hands in Chinese. How the hell does he speak four languages. I will never know:) And he sends me cute texts and it does make me smile. I hung out with his friends today and they spoke English around me, and made me feel like I was part of the bunch! At Pan tonight gas was a problem. But I got my pan con tomate! And with out gas we are saving heat to erase our carbon footprint!
I am going to start exercising. And learning a language. mebe:)
有一个伟大的夜晚
This has been the best week ever. I can't explain it:) I have almost peed my pants laughing everyday. From Spanish memories, to dumb comments, to grunts, and stares. Almost everything is going perfect. I wish I had my choad, vortex and a few things from home (yes you too mom :) ), but I can't explain the happiness and freedom I have here. And I don't miss things like I thought I would. And If i do, for more I am happily coping:)

March 25,2009 Wednesday

Today was the last day of Spanish. I am going to miss it. It reminds me of the fun I used to have in high school with 10 kids, and the only 3 girls in class are my besties, and we are beginners which means we collect the largest partiers on the trip. Each kid has a personality. We have the dumb one, the lippy one, the sassy one, the funny one, ect. We each have our roles, and the whole class we just laugh. I am the lippy one (who is dumb). And today Jody got directed a movie by our teacher by using will you form, and Erin wrote a note, that I think he just asked you on a date. And I added about eye contact in pencil and passed it to Jody. Christian wasn't looking when I gave it to her, and of course Robbie had to say "Rachel are we in middle school", which everyone knew we were passing notes. I told Jody to "Swallow it" and the class went crazy. Everyone was hung over and had a case of the "Soho", where the teacher had the case of "Apollo". Everyone was bumping into things! I am so sad Spanish is done. I was always guaranteed a fun day at class. I laughed the hardest I do on the trip in there! I love the kids in my spanish clsas, and how we all know each others humor spots and where we can make fun of them!

Today I gave into the peer pressure of my friends, and Europe. Everyone waxes everything in Europe. And I mean Todos. And my city friends here are like "everyone waxes" so I am like fine I will give it a try. Never again will i wax. I am fine with hair. I actually like it. I don't feel like I'm 12. The pain was a bitch with the middle strip, and the side wasn't bad at all. I didn't feel like it was sanitary, but the lady who waxed me had a smile on her face, and was singing to Katy Perry. I had to wrap my legs around her at some point, and she was waxing in my crack, and the cooter region, and she loved her job! The pain was so horrible sometimes and not bad in others. But I don't shave my legs, so why should I shave anything but my pits. Friends peer pressure, psh. But I get the most action on this trip to a lady who was so happy! And I felt like i needed to bite down on a piece of wood like during the civil war amputations when it happened. I was so glad when it was over. But once again. I feel 12. I hate it.

After all the stress I decided I needed American food. So I got my first meal at Mcdonalds. Fries, Burger, MCFlurry. Amazing. I was in heaven. It made me feel so much better. And then Steve called me and was like we have to go to lunch. SO i had to shove a bocadillo down. Oh god the food. But oh well. I loved lunch with Steve, he knows how to make me laugh! We can relate on so many levels!

I took the train to Tibidado to go to one of the best science museums in Europe for class. It was amazing. It was all hands on and it was huge. I learned about mathematical equations, and the golden equation. Then I saw in a greenhouse the prettiest trees, and crocodiles. In this forest there were fish in the ponds and behind the glass that were half the size of me. I freaked out! They were huge. But this museum was so amazing and you could learn so much from it. It had geology, meteorology, science, ect. But the math was the most interesting! Tibado is officially my favorite neighborhood. The most gorgeous houses, prettiest gardens, and quiet streets are located up here. It's classy like Gracia, but more uptown! You can see the classic amusement park and the cathedral from the mountain. All the buildings are older, but with a modernermisme architecture. It reminds me of the homes my the Minneapolis art mueso. Gorgeous and someplace i would love to live in the future.

My senora made me eggs rolls and rice. My favorite meal. Which made me realize microwave meals here are amazing. They are far better quality than in the states and I love them.

*I love pan amb tomate. end of story
*I love how people say bon dia, adeu every time you get in and out of the elevator.
*I love uptown regions of cities. I would like to live in one.
*The Easter bunny comes on Mondays here. All the chocolate shops have huge exquisite chocolate eggs displays. But it just isn't chocolate eggs, they are full creations that are detailed and real images. Like there was a chocolate family of the Simpsons! And dogs have coconut noses and every shop has them, and they are so creative! I love how holiday are so different, and there are so many different traditions!

I CAN'T WAIT FOR MALLORCA TOMORROW.
AND ITS NATHAN BABIES BIRTHDAY TODAY:)

March 24,2009 Tuesday(to be cont...)

So I took notes in my class with Aiden today because what he talked about I realized was all about me, and what I believe in. And it gave me hope!

Aiden stated about how the most important part of business is not finance, accounting or marketing, but organizational behavior and right behind it HR. And I believe in organizational behavior being the number one priority in business. It has to do with enthropogy (they decline that as my minor, but they said I can go to grad school or major in it haha). With organizational behavior you need to know about working with groups, psychology, motivation, rewards, politics, conflicts and change. This is what I actually care about. With organizational behavior you need to treat people with respect and work on team work. Jeff Immelt of GE put all these ideas in perspective. "People in the flow will teach you the most"- And this is emerging yourself in other cultures! Which I am doing!
*I also learned time management is a skill i need to work on.
*The future is figuring out how to use technology, and hit every angel of the world, especially in renewable resources and heath care.
*MBA's hate culture. "Can't do a power point on it"
----Well business is culture, and i am going to be the different MBA in the future...

Today Erin's hair got shit in. It was like when mom came to visit, but dark! Thank god she had curly hair. "YOU'RE MY FRIEND, GET IT OUT".. That is why I love Erin. We also got tuna bocodillos from a place I am sure we got some sort of crabs. I think when I get back to the states my stomach wont be able to handle clean food haha. But I really will miss the fruit!
__________________________
I went over to Lainey's to pick out a dress for the night. I got to wear her black expensive posh dress from Los Angles. The dress was worth so much, and it wasn't my style but I felt pretty! Steve told me I looked like a hooch so I put on a sweater, but I was so excited to wear out a beautiful dress! (We need another Prince William Birthday Party Choad....). And when we were getting ready we danced to fun clubbing songs!!!
Britney, Lainey and I walked to the bar and I couldn't wait to meet up with the girls! But we were the first ones there. The bartender let us pour our drinks ALL the way to the top, and I got to stand behind the bar and put popcorn in bowls!
Second time in a row we rocked the bar first! Katie, and Erin arrived and the party began!
The bar began to fill with ESCI kids. There were over 100 kids at least in the tiny bar. There was so much segregation at first between the American's and Spaniards. But soon it was blended, and an amazing time. It may have been my favorite bar experience in Barcelona. Everyone was drunk. I can't remember everything, and taking half the pictures, but it was so much fun. And I could walk home! Brian stole a huge bag of popcorn and was feeding people in the bar, Kelsey and I decided that we drink "the same kind of booze" aka boys that our the flavor of the week, I talked to a spanish student with an Irish obama shirt that studied in Nebraska, befriended a US (CALI) obsessed girl, made fun of Luis and Miquel, party patrolled with Angela, and made fun of Erin for sitting on the toilet instead of squatting. The bar was packed and we were constantly moving around groups! We talked about classes and just bullshitted. I have the best kids on my program, and the local college we go to has the best students. The bar was a blast. I felt gorgeous in Lainey's dress too! We talked a lot about Spanish class, and I love making fun of the "Bros", and get into debates if we are going to make it to Spanish.

We stayed at the bar until 3:30, and people were going to the Club. I knew that I would fall asleep if I went with them. Luis was made that I wouldn't go, and he kept pulling me, so I sat on the side walk and he called me a persistent blond. I pouted and got my way. Tom walked me home and had some anger issues. He kept kicking bikes and freaking out. He was made but he kept saying "i love you chaz" so i knew it wasn't at me. When I'm drunk and someone yells I take it to heart.
I am sad I didn't go dancing with the girls, but I knew I couldn't. And Nasty monday's is right around the corner...

TONIGHT THE ESCI FIANLS BAR PARTY WAS AMAZING! The best, most social, and fun bar expierence so far! I love socializing with the Spanish kids. ahhh I LOVE BARCELONA <3

March 23,2009 Monday

Today I slept in the Cuidad Park. It was amazing. I think I even got tan. yessss. This park was created for the 1888 World Exhibition. The water is in all of the ponds and summer is here. The National Palace also does its light show every night too, and I try to run there for it.
I am poppin on the weight like no other, damn white carbs and olive oil. I know it's from the tuna I eat that comes in oil! But it tastes amazing!

Everyone is spazzing because today in the last day for ESCI classes. Luis is now going to be my tutor! So everyone was anti social today, so Lainey and I attempting to be obnoxious in the lab.

I talked to Kim Kuber today. She is in a small German town, but really likes it. We are going to try and meet up in May.

I am craving culvers today...
And i am skipping Monday at Apollo to sleep. How pathetic!
But tomorrow is going to be crazy...ESCI PARTY...

March 22,2009 Sunday

BARCA GAME TODAY:)
BEAT MALAGA 6-0! It was amazing! Camp Nou can fit almost 90,000 and it was packed and all of the devoted fans were cheering for one of the best teams in the league. The whole semester I love walking past the bars and seeing them pact, and witnessing the passion of the fans. Fans here aren't as obsessed as US fans but they are more passionate. And we got to witness it first hand.

Games at Camp Nou are simple. And its a nice stadium because Barca is the 3rd richest in the league. They don't entertain fans with music during breaks, don't do have time shows, don't announce what is going on, and don't zoom up close on a jumbo tron like what you would see on TV. It is very basic. They expect you to know the game and get into it yourself. I liked the simplicity. And the fans were genuine. And you didn't need to be entertained by all these side features and gimmicks. You just watched the game in the HUGE stadium. No halftime shows, or throwing stuff into the crowd. When the ball was kicked into the stands, you threw it back and the game started again with the same ball. The fans are crazy. I love it! And I love how its the game and the fans. That is it.

I went with the girls and it was a much needed friends group event. "we are too good to be true" It was a blast with them. We always laugh together and have a great time! "Too many fingers" I love all the inside jokes we have. "That turtle swam real fast". These girls are amazing.

Lunch today we went to Lachuga. We waited outside for them to open the doors. We just pigged out. "Is three bowls of ice cream ok" "Just add the strawberries" "No its ok". This is our perfect Spanish lunch. We stuff ourselves and just have a great time.

This was not in the words of Natalie and Jazz a "Lazy Sunday", But an eventful, hyped up Sunday. I LOVE THE FC BARCA TEAM, and THE FRIENDS GROUP!

And I love how Barcelona is not apart of Spain. They are proud to be their own region. This belief gives the area the personality and culture that makes Barcelona amazing...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fc_barcelona