Februrary 12-,16 2009 Thursday-Monday=Jazz's Visit

THURSDAY

I got butterflies in my stomach when I went to pick up Jazz at the airport. They were even more than the ones I used to get when I used to surprise and visit Larkin. I waited for her at the arrivals gate just like in Love Actually, but she never came. I waited for two hours and still no Jazz. My MP3 player was about to die so I asked around about her flight since the boards said they were delayed. Finally I decided to walk the airport, and there Jazz was sitting in terminal A, not B. She didn’t think to go wait in the designated terminal. That is so Jazz. She started crying and all I could say is “I’m sorry I ate your chocolate” And she replied back, I ate yours too! That was the start of our adventure. Knowing that the perfect gift is chocolate and the perfect comfort without a sister is chocolate.
We took the bus to the metro quickly.

We needed to get ready fast because we were going out to the club and bar. At 11 we went to the bar by our house. You could pour your own shots, so we filled our glasses to the top and kept chasing them down as though they were shots. We devoured the popcorn they had there. You could fill up your own bowls and we went through at least 10! I was the ultimate chaser creeper. I got Jazz four free chasers! Then we walked to the club. Erin, Jazz, and I danced with the boys all night at Sutton. We did swing dance, spazzy dances and old school. And we went to the techno part of the club and attempted to dance. Think of the concept where you can literally pick up your feet and still stay in the air. But we managed. Every time a Rihanna song came on or Chris Brown we would add in fake punches and bites. I love adding pop culture into songs, and Erin and Jazz are my favorite people to dance with. Tom is the best rapper ever. He can come up with the most creative raps, way better than any Eminem or Lil Wayne. It reminded me of Austan on his wedding night “Kim has STDs, Jazz is with Jerry, and you Can’t get close to Rachel song”. I love nights at the club. At 5 we walked home. A guy wanted to kiss me goodbye at the club, but I made up a rule as long as Erin and Jazz don’t get a kiss. I don’t get a kiss. Oh Barcelona nights, I am going to miss them the most!

FRIDAY

I attempted to get Jazz up for Spanish class, but she wouldn’t budge until I screamed for her to get up! Almost everyone attended Spanish, I was surprised. We walked around La Rambla y El Born y El Gothico today. We took a mininap and went out again. I showed Jazz some of the pretty Barcelona spots and we ate our weight in chocolate croissants and helado. I think Jazz became sick of chocolate by the end of her weekend here! Barcelona has so much to do, but the best is just to walk around the tiny gothic streets.

Later that night we went to the Mexican Restaurant by MACBA. We waited for our seats. We got some right by the bar because it was so packed. It was amazing to eat a burrito that wasn’t greasy, spicy or too meaty. A great break from the bread and jam we had been consuming! When we all ate at the restaurant Jazz and I went on an adventure to find wine. We decided to get two boxes, which was 1.25 euro each. A mega bargain for boxed wine (though it tasted like it too). Jazz found her dream .63 euro wine today at corte and she named him Vino when we pregamed.

After eating and drinking boxed vino we ended up at the “brothel”. An adult Jazz bar located in the square in which you had to get buzzed into. Inside was dark and there was Cabernet music and people our parent’s age. They all were staring and the walls were a mix of crushed velvet and satin and tall with a floral wall paper. We were supposed ot meet the boys here, but they never showed up! So we sat on the stares drinking the night away. I loved all the pickup lines creepers give u. The best was “Oh my fucking god”, and those were probably the only words he knew in English. We ended up at Opium that night, a club on the water.

In my mind opium is the prettiest club. It has a huge porch balcony with leather couches, and tables all lit by candles and walls of torches. It feels like you’re on a romantic tropical getaway. The dance floor is more like a club setting, but had a lot of techno music. But I loved just sitting outside and listening to the ocean, feeling the breeze, and smelling the salty air. I would go to the club just to sit on the porch! Jazz loves the dancing scene here! I am really glad! Later that night at 4:30 we took a cab home because Jazz was passing out. The cab driver asked if my friend was having sweet dreams. And I was like my sister isn’t used to the time schedule. She couldn’t keep her eyes open in the cab. But just like at the U where we would have devoured mac and cheese at 3 am, in Barcelona bread and Jam at 5 am was just as good!


SATURDAY

In the morning we went to Segrada Familia. I love Gaudi’s work. I still don’t understand how he can make the cerement to appear to look as though it is melting mud on a huge cathedral. But park Guell is my favorite piece of his work. We sat on the beach and walked the city beaches. They aren’t as nice as the beaches to the North and South, but they are still nice. Jazz lost her Mediterranean Sear virginity and we just enjoyed the sun! After a few hours the boys called us to meet them for lunch. We went to a tiny sandwich shop which was amazing. I had a sausage and gouda sandwich, it sounds so nasty. But it was one of the most amazing tastes ever. Today we watched a children’s parade like the Fallals in Valencia, but a smaller version here.

The boys, jazz and I went to park Guell. Too bad it got cloudy. Some of the best views of the city are up here. Also one of the biggest climbs. Much of the hiking trail was still closed from the windstorm! But Jake, Jazz, Steve and I watched the dogs chasing birds, a little boy playing soccer (he and his grandma were amazing) and just watched the city view. I love Jazz being here. It’s like a constant friend I can talk to and she just gets me, ad we understand each other! Since it was Valentine’s Day, Jazz and I went to a romantic dinner at a nicer restaurant. We ate tuna pizza. It sounds nasty, but it is one of my favorite foods now. We also ate helado y croissants chocolates. Muy bien! It was the best valentines I ever had. My twin sister in my favorite city. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. <3

People went to a house party in the mountains so Jazz and I drank copa sangria at the fairy bar. I knew Jazz would like it there. It was like an enchanted forest, and there are gnomes, waterfalls and mini tables. It is really cute and dark. We sat in the cave and when we got out Jazz was feeling it. I think it was because she chugged Vino dos outside because they wouldn’t let her carry it in the bar. After walking along the port we ended up at chupitos the shot bar. People were taking boy scouts, lighting their thumbs on fire, and licking cool whip of a flaming bar, some boys with accents were taking shots. I casually asked them what a Harry Potter shot was and they bought some for us. You sucked on a full sugar coated warmed orange at the end so the shot tasted amazing! They have hundreds of shots for 2 euros each, but they are all fun!

We came with them to a local bar and they bought up Estrella Damn. Earlier that day Jazz and I felt the wrath of its deadly alcohol levels. The boys we met up with where from Belfast and had the best accents. They made fun of us for having accents. They were so funny and they thought Kansas was a great state! We also kept using “ “ with our fingers and had a huge conversation on their favorite band rumblesticks. I laughed so hard. These boys are probably the funniest people I met this whole trip. You could have a full conversation with you; they added to it and cared. One wanted to work at Best Buy and the other wanted to travel to Arizona. Just the shit they said and realizing our cultural differences made it funny! Another funny difference was our opinions on Tijuana. And I told them they should only go if they want to get drugged and raped in the ass. But they said Merissa from the OC went and had a great time, and we I said look what happened to her! That is weird in Ireland that they hear great things about Kansas, and Tijuana!

We had to leave because Spazz drank too much! I still love you. On the way home I popped a couple perfect unnoticeable squats and I tried to keep Jazz awake on the metro. It was so loud. And local teens all had pitchers and plastic cups and were just riding the metro drinking. The man across from us had two beers in his hand. Oh the Barca metro on Saturday nights!!!

SUNDAY

Sunday morning was a celebrated holiday of Saint Eulilia in Barcelona. A 13 year old who died a martyr death, and was torched 13 different ways. For example breasts cut off, whipped naked in the square (where it miraculously snowed), nailed, rolled in a pointed barrel, decapitated and burned. There are 13 white geese in the middle of the cathedral which are symbols for her. We saw her tomb and the church was an old visogothic style with giant buttresses that stretched across the ceiling. It was one of the largest gothic churches I have seen except for Geneva’s and Girona’s. And it is in the center of town and you wouldn’t even notice it.

We explored Montijuic and the Olympic Stadium. Jazz and I are going to Canada for the next Olympics, then London for the next and I hope Chicago wins the next bid. I can imagine how crazy Barcelona got for the Olympics. Barcelona was supposed to host it in the 1920’s but civil war broke out. We looked at the National Palace and went to find some hot chocolate! When we were getting drinks we ran into the man Jazz sat next to on the plane! What a small world! At a tiny coffee shop in a non busy part of the city, she sees him! Weird!

We decided to go to the Garden Maze park! This like park Guell has an amazing view of the city! It is just outside of the city to the north, and it has gardens from rich estates from the earlier centuries! Jazz and I got lost in the maze and Jazz has to compare EVERYTHING to Harry Potter! No matter what she can do it. Try it with her sometime! We met the girls at Pan for a while and then we headed to the St, Eulicia parade.

Around Casa de La Ciutat there were musicians playing the famous Catalan songs where locals were joining into a dance. There was a series of two parades, one for kids and one for adults, each involving fire and dragons. We marched underneath the flames through the cobblestone streets from the Placa Sant Jaurme (which included Palau de La Generalitlat de Cataluña and the Casa de La Ciutat which were draped in Castilian flags.) We followed the parade around the Placa Reial, Placa del Rei where we went for the museum and ended at Cathedral of Santa Eulalia. It was amazing to walk through the narrow streets with so many people, look up and see cobblestone walls, seeing palm trees, “firesticks” everywhere, and the old cathedrals. Smoke filled the sky, but the glow made everything seem mysterious. The final cathedral was built on top of a former visigothic church (which was built in the 13th-15th Century). It was an amazing opportunity to watch this parade. I can’t even explain how cool it was to be jammed in the tiny Gothic walls and getting hit by the fire being spit from the dragons!

Jazz also experienced her first Fallafal! And she loved it! We sat on the streets listening to the orchestra play with the fireworks in the background! It was more patriot than Fourth of July in the United States in some ways! Especially because this history is so old, the United States is such a young country! We ate our weigh in chocolate and chocolate croissants today! The only way to describe it is amazing!

We sat on the beach tonight and just listened to the waves. The stars were trying to peak out but it was chilly today! But the salty air and the city lights made it seem magical that I was sitting on the Mediterranean sea with my sister. We just sad and talked in the sand. It was a perfect chill night and I love the beach and my sister so it was the perfection combination if we only had some cava! I love just spending my nights on the beach. I am so happy I chose to travel abroad to a destination on the water! I now know my obsession with living by water! Just to look out and not see the end gives you a great feeling!

MONDAY

Today Jazz went home, and I want her back! We went to La Rambla which I learned today is built on a river that is damned to the sea! Isn’t that weird how a busy, Barca Street is on a river, but you don’t even notice! It is an undergrounded water system inspired by the Romans. We ate our valentine’s dinner again! We went to the mall and shopped European style! I love how the mall is on the port and they leave the doors open so you can smell the salty air. Our thoughts were confirmed from last semester. YOU CAN GET SWALLOWED BY A SHARK!



We had lunch with the boys and I took Jazz to the train station and wished her off! I get to see her in a few days and that is the best part! I loved Jazz spending four days with me! We got to do a bit of everything Barcelona has to offer! We went to the beach, clubs, bars, shopping, parks and Olympic grounds! I hope Jazz loves Barcelona as much as I do. I have no idea why I am drawn to this city so much. I really hope to live here in the future. I fell in love with Minneapolis and Barcelona so fast. They are the greatest feelings!

Februrary 22, 2009 Sunday

We got up and watched BB Mack music videos to see where they filmed them. We realize at the Bank stop they filmed their video and we were there yesterday! And when we reference potentially getting hit by a bus, it is called BB MACK! We went back to Abbey road because we love that neighborhood. Then walked through Regency Park, and went to Camden Market for donuts and orange juice! We walked back and decided to pack :-(. I don’t want to leave London!
We headed to Chelsea to eat lunch. We went to a pub and got fish and chips. It was beer battered and it was amazing! My old pen pal Matt used to live in this area and I still want to track him down! He used to send me birthday cards and was so sweet. The bus came and picked me up, and I almost started crying when Jazz hugged me goodbye. I just want her to be abroad with me. We are best friends and no one can describe what we have. We have so many inside jokes like “ripping the chair” and “Fly on the wall” from this weekend! And who else would eat cake and fart with me in front of the London Eye (Natalie would of course!), but Jazz gets me!
I realized that I miss the Midwest too today. Jazz and I always do the Minnesota wave. The hand out thank you, almost looking like a stop, especially when a car lets you go. Here they do not get it, and they think it means stop! And they love our accents, when we don’t have one! We hold our oo’s in the Midwest though. I am also low maintenance, and not uptight. Steve is shocked how fast Jazz and I can get ready in the morning. I can shower, make up, blow-dry my long hair, and get dressed in 20 minutes. That is so fast for a girl. And I am refusing to shave my legs. It is an unnecessary use of my time at this point in my life, and I rarely show off my legs. I also do not wear a lot of makeup or dumb nonfunctional clothing. I like baggy jeans and dressing comfortable. So does Jazz. Growing up in a small town helped drive this idea. But this idea is directed towards an ex who told me I spend too much time doing things that don’t matter. And I used to believe him.
Now I don’t. I can push myself harder than most other girls, handle the outdoors, and not freak out about dumb things. So in plain terms, I like who I am, and my ex was extremely wrong (with Natalie’s X hand motion).
A random thought: London dogs are so pretty! They are clean and neat, not to mention well behaved! I think owners pride in their dogs more than their kids. But British children are so cute with their accents.
I took the bus to Gatwick Airport in the north. The area was in Sussex and it was gorgeous. It was full of lush farm lands, green grass, sheep and large horses. The airport security was very tight. But a boy and I became friends while waiting to get through security!
The view from takeoff was gorgeous. You could see the Coast and all of the green farm lands. Sussex was so different from London. I love the water! And listening to the Cab on the flight! They make me smile and dance. Like in high school Jazz and I had a G L A M O R O U S dance party at 30,000 feet, now I’m doing a solo Cab dance!

My weekend with Jazz was perfect. Words can’t describe how she is my World. I have fun with her no matter what. London was amazing. It is a huge city that is rich in history and culture. The people are nice, the food is amazing, and there is something that catches your eye at every corner. I can’t wait to drop back down in London Town.

And today i felt the real affect on how much I missed Natalie. I was in the airport really upset that I just left Jazz, and Earl had to Die came on. I started to cry. She is our best friend and I just want her here with me. She always makes things better. We laugh at the dumbest things, and we could have pulled a Winning London weekend with her. We are never complete without her. That would be a reason to go back to Tomahawk. To have those summer nights we just drive around and don't do anything. 10 oclock tenis, otm nights, thrift cellar tuesdays, walmart runs, most my memories of home have her in it. She is my other sister, "Where's dad?!". She is going to be the first one to give me a hug in the airport. And she was the last one in O'Hare to.
I just want me Choadles:-(

Februrary 21, 2009 Saturday

Up at 7 we were ready to take London on by storm! Right away we went to Abbey road! This is the highlight of the trip. WE WERE ALMOST BB MACKED BY A SPICE BUS WHERE THE BEATLES WALK… You had to be there! Abbey road is really close to Jazz’s house! But the road is actually really cool to see. You had to dodge cars because it was a busy street. Too bad we didn’t have guitars and two more people to make the perfect walking scene! But we added a 21st century flare, for example, walking across with cell phones! Jazz laid in Abbey road. Abbey studios is full of graffiti from over the years. There is also a cute Beatles café. In my mind the Monkeys dominate, but the Beatles did reside and record in a beautiful neighborhood. But while we were on the Beatles tour we had to hit up Marylebone Station where I wanna hold your hand was written. That is my favorite Beatles song, and it reminds me of driving home from Madison with Jazz creating our own dance to it! We held hands in front of it, and it was perfect. We just needed Natalie and Chaaaaaaaales.

We then ventured to Little Venice where there house boats, stores and restaurants all on boats. This is a location where Bridge and prejudice filmed! It was a gorgeous area. The roses were in bloom and everything was beautiful! It was so sunny in London today! After Little Venice we went to Baker’s Street still in search of Sherlock Holmes. And we found him at 221 b Baker’s street! We looked around his hood and read a creepy book on Jack the Ripper! I love how London is so full of history, all in walking distance! Next was Regency Park! It was so much prettier in the day, then the creepy night walk! I can’t believe Kings and Queens used to keep this HUGE park private! All the flowers were in bloom and it reminded me of Secret Garden! After the park we climbed to the top of Primrose Hill! It was an intense hike, even for Jazz the Man, but the view was worth it!

Camden Market. The highlight of my trip to London. It is an area of town that is a punk, chaotic, bizarre atmosphere! There is every kind of piercing, tattoo, clothing, and food shop. And it was directed towards my style! I almost broke a huka bong; I ate Chinese food, and consumed my weight in donuts. They had more donut types than I could imagine! It was blocks of chaotic stores, stands and markets! I loved how busy it was! I loved it more than Madrid’s market! I would love to live in an area of a city like this after college! I could explore this market for hours and still not see everything! We would go into stores because we heard American music like Hanson’s Mmm Bop, and Jazz’s Miley Cyrus’s fly on the Wall. Jazz officially declared Miley as one of her all time favorite singers, and anyone who hates Miley is lying. She had so much passion driven towards this comment! Oh Jazz!

Camden market is officially the BEST thing London has to offer. It is full of Culture and it fit my personality like no other! I loved it so much!
We went to Kings Cross after Camden! We were on a search for Harry Potter. We explored the trains, and went to platform 9. There were no signs of a platform 9 ¾. We searched everywhere and finally asked. Harry was moved to Platform 8. And there in platform 8, was platform 9 ¾. We took pictures pushing the cart through the wall! Jazz practiced her spells as well. She loves magic! Haha

Next was on the search for Hugh Grant at Notting Hill. Notting hill is such a cute neighborhood. It reminds me of the Caribbean. All the houses are attached and painted bright colors. Down Notting Hill was Portobello Road “the streets where the riches and wonders were sold!”. Bedknobs and Broomsticks is one of my favorite movies of all time and we got to go where they found the book to go to The Island of Naboom Boom. Jazz and I used to sing the song growing up and now we were here together! Portobello Road market was like Camden, but classier and just as packed. It was also more organized and stretched for miles down the street. We stumbled upon The Travel Bookshop from the Movie Notting Hill and we saw where Hugh Grant lived! Jazz’s amazing eyes spotted it down a side street. It is amazing how Portobello Road used to sell illegal and stolen goods and now it is antiques and boutique items! I wish I could have found the bed to take me to Naboom Boom. Pedigree, Abigee!!!!

We walked down one of the poshest streets in London looking at embassy’s houses! And then we ran into Hyde’s Park. Hyde’s Park was packed with families and hot soccer players. There we walked around Kensington Palace, and saw a Prince Albert statue which is the world’s largest gilded statue. Fun fact right. He also had 11 kinds! Kensington Palace was made for Princesses, and Princess Dianna lived in it before her death. Jazz was not fond of the adulteress and spoke her opinion as we sat by the water and watched the swans!
After Hyde’s Park and Kensington Palace we went to hunt for the Globe Theater on the Thames. Ms. Balda and Herbison would be proud! While looking we stumbled upon St. Paul’s cathedral where Harry Potter scenes were filmed and a 7th century Saxon church that survived all of the war’s bombings and is still preserved. Soon we hit the Globe Theater. I can’t believe Shakespeare had his work preformed along the water here! The history never ends in London! We watched the London sunset on the bridge right by the globe theater! When I was a sophomore in high school, when we talked about it, never in my life would I imagine going to see it. Especially on a whim decision after sitting at the park.

For dinner we went to an American Diner! We listened to 1970’s songs and sang along with everyone at the restaurant. We ate burgers, fries, and shakes. Again. British food is AMAZING! It was a great dinner, and I loved listening to 70’s songs and random songs from musicals. Jazz’s new obsession! This is where UZA BIGGG BABBBY was born. And this will stay for a long time!

We went to the Old Bell for drinks by Jazz’s house! Strongbow, spice girls and a camera makes everything better! We were filming a video singing to Spice girls and at the same time we would look out the window and yell Spice Bus! That is why we are twins! The night just sitting at the Old Bell topped off the perfect day! The bar with Jazz is my perfect night out! We just laughed and took unattractive NS pictures of ourselves. It would have been perfect if Natalie was with us! These pictures will resurface along with “THE PICTURE” (of freshman year) during our wedding slideshows!

And no this night is not done! After the bar we went to get ready! I was curling Jazz’s hair and Steve was eating across the street and some girl’s house! (What a small world) And he yells out the window CHAZZZ. And we have a full conversation and he comes over but breaks the door. We are all locked in Jazz’s flat. We open the window and yell to Jazz’s neighbors to the right and they come over the help. We kept dropping keys from her window (Jazz lives in an apartment with four floors), but nothing would work. The boys below randomly found a full size mattress and put it below the window. They were yelling jump and I was just yelling no. Jordan got on his knees and sang for me to come down from the window! It was perfect! And I had a crush on him. Jake finally got inside so I left to sit on the mattress outside with a bottle of vodka. This scene reminds me of Rhinelander nights with our old group of boys. We would just sit outside on random things we would find! We just sat and talked, and in a matter of 5 minutes we were rounded up to go to Waxy O’conners for Jordan’s birthday night! The metro was a HUGE social fest. We were running all through the metro cart. Sitting on peoples laps, on the floor, and dancing on poles. It was just like we were back in Minnesota, without sharing our liquor with hobos and the exchange of weed! We ended up at Cinnabon, and we peed in the Cinnabon basement. Never would I think I would do something like this, but we did. It is so gross. Ugh! Whoops! But it was a great night, and the seal was broken!

At Waxy O’Conners we sang out loud to American music like Journey! We had a huge group, and the British guys are so social and not creepy. I was standing on a balcony scanning for Jazz (who was trying to get free drinks) and the guys kept waving to try to confuse me and it worked! The bar was so much fun. British pub’s have the best atmosphere!

We went home after the pub and Steve got lippy. And I just sassed back. He yelled me never to take seriously what guys do drunk, and that concept pissed me off. I stood up for myself. People have NO EXCUSE when they are drunk. Then don’t get so drunk and make those decisions, thus it’s your fault. Steve just gets crabby as a drunk. And really defensive. And I am not about to lose an argument to him. My ex Andy in the past could get really crabby drunk and just yell at me, and my other ex Larkin would just become a whore. So I guess people just react differently. But his comment got on my nerves. YOU ARE NOT EXCUSABLE FOR ANYTHING YOU DO DRUNK. And drunk person speaks a sober heart, hasn’t he ever heard of that! But we complimented each other on the colors we were wearing and our fight was over. And he thinks girls are complex.psh

TODAY WE JAMMED SO MUCH INTO THE DAY AND SAW A SHIT TON OF SIGHTS!
IT WAS AMAZING AND PERFECT AND I LOVE EXPLORING LONDON WITH JAZZ.

Februrary 20, 2009 Friday

We woke up a bit later and went out for the day! Jazz and I made “crap crepe pancakes” according to Alex. But they were really good! I ate them with syrup (that tasted like butterscotch!) and we watched English sitcoms on television. One involved kids at a foster home, and many of the children’s actors were disabled or overweight! I love how they believe in diversity on their television stations! We just sat on the couch eating Craps, watching children’s shows! I loved it!

When we were ready to go out we walked around the city of London! And when I say walked, we hit up every landmark in the old London district! First Westminster Abby, then Big Ben, the London Eye, everything we saw last night but during the day! We hit up Buckingham palace, and chased pigeons! The guards weren’t dressed in their full gear! Then the “arch de triumph” of England. “There is only one in Barcelona”, haha we mocked a dumb guy on our program. We looked at war monuments, and then walked to Leicester square. After riding the lions we went out to lunch at an amazing spot. It was so old and historic, and it was a pub. British pubs are amazing. There are no words to explain it. The smell is amazing, it is homey, the beer tastes great (I love strongbow), and the people are so friendly. We played a pea game, were Steve and I spit peas into Jazz’s shirt, it was a hard game, but Steve won! Around Leicester square there were so many food places.

I love food in London. It is my style. I have been craving sausages, and potatoes and they have them everywhere! They have potatoes jackets, fish and chips, and every kind of food imaginable. I feel satisfied! In Spain, I am always more hungry, but this food is hearty and fills me up!

After the amazing fish and chips lunch, we went to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Tower of London is an amazing structure, and I can’t believe it looks as great as it does for being so old! It was along the river, and it gave it more mystery! And like the spice girls we went on Tower bridge! It had a great view of the city, and the Thames.

For dinner we went to the Old Bell. I got ham, eggs and chips! A complete random combination, but it was really good! Then we walked to Steve’s other friend’s apartment who are in Jazz’s program, but in a posh district! We took the longest walk through Regency Park! But as long as I’m doing something with Jazz, I am happy! We finally get there and the boys have the best view of the London eye. Jazz and I decided to leave to explore Baker Street, to potentially find Sherlock Holmes, (my favorite 6th grade book!). We ended up at his museum and McDonalds. I guess I need to get my future coon dog to scout him out! I need a coon dog when I grow up and get a house, they are so cute! We took the metro to Piccadilly and walked to the London eye to look at the night sky! But before, a girl’s night wouldn’t be complete without chocolate cake! We got chocolate cake, and walked over the Jubilee Bridge and had the best view of London! It was the perfect night to eat cake, look at the moon, and be able to see Big Ben, and the London eye right in front of you! We heard the clock strike 11 again. I love London so much. It is an amazing city. It is so large, but cozy at the same time! There are no language barriers, the people are nice, and it doesn’t smell (which is an important aspect in Europe). Like Barcelona I can see myself living here, but London a long period of time. Here they don’t go out till 5 am like they do in Barca, but I like it. They have pubs. And it is a HUGE city, and I feel like I fit in there!

We met up with the boys at Cinnabnon and it was Jordan’s 21st Birthday. Alex jammed cinnabon down my throat, and we just hung out with the guys for a while and went home! When we went home, we crept online and listened to music. Jazz doesn’t have a lot of music on her computer, but she does have Big Pimpin. That’s fo sho. She had Abba, the Artic Monkeys and then Big Pimpin. That is why I love Jazz. Whenever I’m with her I’m happy. I can’t wait until we get a house after college with Natalie. That is our plan, and every day I am getting more and more excited about the VORTEX! But Jazz and I are going to be the mom’s that get babysitters every Friday so we can go out :p That was decided today too!

Februrary 19, 2009 Thursday

I left the Barca airport London bound! I didn’t want to leave today! The sun was shining and it was the perfect weather! A long sleeve was even too hot! And the sky was hazy because of the heat and I just wanted to stay and sit on the beach!
I flew Alitalia air and the plane looked like a little sardine! There were 3 girls on the plane; I was the only blonde one with all business men! It was a very small and compact plane! I was surprised when the flight was so smooth! I also had a butter/mushroom/sardine sandwich. It was not good at all. I gave it a chance like baby eel, but I dislike both greatly! We took off from the Barcelona airport (which is on the Mediterranean Sea shore) and we had the best view of the cities. If you close your eyes and opened them you couldn’t tell whether you were looking at the sky or water. Both were an unbelievable blue. The only way you could decide if it was by the little white boats in the water and the occasional change of depth. When you looked out onto the Mediterranean you could see for miles! And when you looked back towards Barca you could see the snow capped giant Pyrenees in the background! They almost seemed to float because the warm air created a haze on land. We flew along the shore getting the best views of Costa Brava, and Saint Sebastian! The water looked so pretty against the sky. But the most phenomenal view was the Alps. They expanded for miles and you could see the rugged caps point up to the sky. They seem to float as well because of the clouds! The whole way we followed some sort of mountain range. We flew over Torino where the Olympics were and we landed in Italy just outside of the Mountains. There was snow everywhere 15 miles before we landed. But then we hit a brown, beige, crème quilt work of mountainous farms. Way smaller than the Alps, but it had historic old properties on them, with amazing courtyards!

Milan has the same sky color as Switzerland does. It really reminds me of Switaly! Haha. It has the colored houses like in the south, but the Swiss architecture of the square buildings. The airport is in the middle of the city so I had a great view of everything.

***NO sign of Beckham yet. GOD DAMN IT!
***It smells like spring and farms outside!
***the airport is in the center of town!

I am right now flying over the Italian Alps. At first the mountains looked like teeth with cavities. All of them are smooth on top with white around the edges and dark in the middle (just like a tooth!). There are so many rivers and lakes that are glistening blue y green north of Milan with little towns surrounding them. And between each Alp and a river basin a whole town follows the river. But now I look on both sides of the plane and there are HUGE snowcapped mountains. When I went to Switzerland I didn’t have a good view because of the snowstorms (go figure Switzerland!). But it is clear and sunny out and all I see is white mountains below me and blue skies above me. There isn’t a cloud in the sky. The sun makes the snow seem glazed at smooth. I can’t even explain the panoramic view I have right now from my window. The vast spread of mountains and little river basins with the hint of trees on the bottom is spectacular. Northern Italy is gorgeous and cozy. I can’t get over the fact how these huge mountains expand so far out! We are over Austria and I can’t wait to be in the Alps in the spring. The Alps can’t compare to the Appalachians (or Adirondacks Jazz ha ha get the snow machine!) or the Rockies. The concept that whole communities are shoved between the peaks and the continuity of white hills are gorgeous. There are natural hot springs we keep passing. The steam is rising from the mountains and it looks like mini volcanoes. I can’t wait to explore the small basin towns in May! I LOVE THE ALPS!!!! I need my camera. I know I’m rambling, but I don’t have enough adjectives to explain what it looks like to be up in the blue skies surrounded by the Alps And when we go over the clouds, just like Switzerland they blanketed across like bumpy mash potatoes with the peaks sticking out of it and in the distance mas montanas.

When I arrived to the airport I got quizzed by security for the most intense details. From where I was studying, to where my sister lives, and what she is studying. I said Notting Hill, I had no idea! But right when I was going to the Underground to meet Jazz I heard a “RACHEL JANZ. RACHEL!”. And there was Jake, Blake and Jordan. And all of their flights arrived a few hours before mine! What are the odds in one of the largest airports in the world, I would run into the boys! And Steve was missing from their group and he was held back in Madrid. Poor Steve!

Jazz was 15 minutes late, but those 15 minutes was enough for me to panic! I needed Natalie to duff her at that moment. I paid a crazy amount to go online and I ran around looking for her! Finally I ran into her. I tried asking people for help to see if there was another tube station, but this was the only one out of this terminal! But no one could understand me! They said I talked way to fast and their accents were too thick! But people here are VERY nice, they are always willing to help and are very genuine!

When I met up with Jazz we went to her apartment! I loved the district of town she lived in! I met her roommates, and I didn’t like most, but somewhere sweet! We ate Velveeta Mac and cheese and chicken and it tasted amazing, that and being with Jazz was already making my London experience!

After dinner we had to wait for Steve’s flight to arrive (he was having a Hell Trip in Madrid) so we went to the Westbury to get two for ones! The hottest bartenders on earth worked there and they made us a drink with real fruit that tasted great! I felt fancy drinking in such an old building with chandeliers! I should say Posh because most of London is posh! After good buzz we adventured to Piccadilly Circus! We walked through the Park just east of Buckingham until we ran into Westminster abbey, Big Ben and the London Eye. I can imagine what Peter Pan felt like when he flew around Big Ben in the London sky! It was gorgeous! It was a tinged yellow glow and the rest of the building reflected off of the Thames. Then the London Eye lit up the sky looking out of place, and the building next to it changed fiber optic lights numerous times. We heard Big Ben strike 11, and the streets were dead and it echoed through. It was so eerie, almost something you would read in Sherlock Holmes. I love the way London looks at night. Last time I was here, it didn’t impress me half as much. It is so romantic at night! Big Ben I think is London’s most amazing piece of architecture!

We picked up Steve and did he have stories. Even knowing Spanish he had to get a lawyer and a bunch of locals to help him get a flight here, but he made it. We came home, ate and chilled out! I can’t get the London night landscape out of my head!

Februrary 18, 2009 Wednesday

I am getting cultured as we speak! My intercambio is now the Pan worker:-). He is trying to learn English and we talked about my accent! He is so sweet and I love talking to him every night.

Erin just told a lie to her host family that "her letter is probably in the North Pole where Santa lives" even though she is Jewish. I love spending time with Erin! She is amazing! We have so much in common and we are perfect for each other! I can't explain it, we get each other! We both have therapists and we just understand each other.

Today you didn't need a coat outside and It was perfect.
My new goal. I will be fluent in Spanish by the time I'm 30 by casually taking it! I love my physical therapist here. She talks to me about her boy friends and life in Spain! We are going out together! It is because they are so young here when they join the work force!

Lizzie is my role model! At therapy she told me you can never settle on your first love. Or the first boy you sleep with. You need to explore your options. She is so brave. She has lived here for 5 years and picked up Spanish by living here. She has gone through the biggest guy problems and even moved to China with her boyfriend during the SARS outbreak! I want to be like her. She is so spunky,carefree, and spirited. She is what girls should look up to.

Matt and I wasted each others time today googling cute animals in the computer lab! 4 hours of time! But we learned so much about each other! I love how he calls me hun and babe. Girls love special attention like that! And he told me to find a guy who will play with my hair. That is officially on my required list! I need a hair play with er. And a guy to make me feel special.

I deleted Larkin as a facebook friend today. We may be making progress.
Tomorrow i am going to London, but Steve is being a pain in my ass!
But I love the sun. And Matt loves my smiles.
so its a good day:-)
LONDRES MANANA!
I GET TO SEE JAZZ
AND PORTABELLO ROAD
AND WHERE BECKHAM PLAYS

Februrary 17,2009 Tuesday

So today I was just picking up the pieces from before Jazz came. I am so far behind in everything and in nothing. We don't do much here, but I am behind in what we don't do much of. I am a procrastinator, but I work best that way. I can't believe I am going to see Jazz on Thursday! I am sooooo excited! I wish she would have studied abroad in Barcelona with me!

Today I did a lot of nothing when i should have been picking up the pieces! My teacher today gave the funniest pep talk about going to Sichez. She told us we couldn't dress up like bananas or penguins because it is way too packed. Be something comfortable like a dung beetle!

Professors here are so carefree like that! She was giving us drinking advice and telling us what she does, and we have to send her pictures when we go. I can't believe I am going to Madri Gras at the World's 2nd largest festival! I need to figure out a costume. My Spanish teacher writes down pick up lines, swear words and how to get high on the board. I love the lifestyle here. But I do find t strange that grown children live at home! I also sat in the street while a friend rolled a joint! People here just smoke out in public! I am shocked by that whole idea. When I think of smoking pot I will always think of a girl I met on the trip saying it's like "smoking ass" because you don't know how it was transported!

John walked me home today! The sun was shining and everyone was out perfect day.
I also got to talk to my loves. I chatted away all night. It felt so good to be able to see their faces on web cam. I saw Arbys, milk, Kiki's bra, Megan, Emily and Kiki. I miss the Vortex so much! I have been also talking to a lot of people back home.

I wish the midwest had an Ocean.
then it would be perfect.