The 100th Day

April 28^th marked my 100^th day in Spain (and all of Europe). I thought it’d be fun reflecting on the things that I will/will not miss when I head back to the States in a few short weeks.

Things That Will Be THOROUGHLY Missed:

(In no particular order, I’ve had this list pending for a while now)

1)      Living in SPAIN: probably the best part of this semester

2)      Traveling EVERY weekend: just a hop, skip and a jump away from a new foreign land

3)      European Money: it’s totally monopoly like; makes the US seem BORING

4)      My Host Family: Lola and Manolo have been the greatest parental replacements anyone could ask for

5)      Speaking Spanish 24/7: or so it seems, compared to the ZERO Spanish I spoke in the US

6)      Tapas: or rather any Spanish/European gastronomy; my pallet’s definitely matured

7)      Being Asked for Directions: feeling like a local, after a few weeks, is the best feeling ever

8)      Walking Everywhere: take a college campus, put it on steroids and then double it; that’s my daily walk

9)      PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE: Europe is a great place for social butterflies, like me, to meet very interesting and cultured individuals

10)   Islamic Influence: it’s everywhere; all I had to do was step outside the US

11)   The Arts and Architecture: breathtaking and beautiful; it converts a non-enthusiast (like me) to an intrigued observer

12)   Hollywood in my Backyard: if I had a dollar for the number of times I stepped on a once-movie set, I would be able to buy nose-bleed tickets to the next Bulls game

13)   History Meeting Modernity: the marriage between the two made traveling even more exciting; every street that I walk down has some historical significance

14)   European Fashion: I may have to get rid of all my sweats and PJs once I get home, sad

15)   Gelato: NOM NOM NOM, enough said

16)   6^th Grade Cell Phone: having left my pseudo BlackBerry at home, I have become accustomed to a “pay as you go” basic-function mobile device, disconnecting me from the world of constant texting

17)   European M&Ms: Mars seriously needs to use the same recipe in the States

18)   The 2€ Store: like the dollar store except with better quality and selection

19)   Yogurtlandia: Red Mango should be ashamed of itself

20)   The Nightlife: Spaniards truly know how to do it best; party don’t stop till 5 in the morning

21)   The Metro: seamlessly taking a directionally challenged tourist from one end of the city to the other

22)   Blogging as the Globetrotter: I need to continue traveling in order to maintain this blog; I may have a few ideas up my sleeve

23)   Cola Coa: the best hot chocolate mix known to mankind, promise

24)   Té Rojo: yes folks, I’ve become a tea drinker

Things That I Will Gladly Live WITHOUT:

1)      Piropos: translated as compliments, these are whistles, catcalls, obnoxious kissing sounds and physical advances carried out by men of all ages 

2)      Euro to Dollar Conversion: it hurt watching my savings dwindle, everyday

3)      The Smoking: I’m pretty sure my life expectancy has decreased by 10 years; I’m coming home with a grey lung

4)      PDA: things that happen behind closed doors should stay there, not be displayed for the world to see

5)      Cobble Stone Sidewalks: totally not conducive to heels

6)      Stereotypes: not all Americans are self-centered, stupid or the poster children for McDonald’s, promise

7)      Sevici Bike Lanes: if I had a quarter for the number of times I was almost run over by a bike, I’d have enough money for a year’s supply of M&Ms

8)      Slow Internet Connections: makes skyping a pain in the butt

9)      The Seven Hour Time Difference: became a hassle when I had to call mom during the week

10)   Military Time: I mean who wants to do math when checking the time

11)   Not Being with Family and Friends: I hated not having my loved ones with me when I was touring each country

12)   Constant Airport Security Checks: just because I’m brown, doesn’t mean I’m dangerous

I’m sure I’ll add to this list over the next few days. A special shout out to MF who is celebrating her 22^nd Birthday Today! So glad I got to know you on this trip! T-Minus 16 Days Until Chicago!

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

There usually is one, it just takes a long time coming.

For most of us, this past week was a long, dark tunnel with no end in sight.  As mentioned previously, the Intensive Spanish course, midterms and interviews in Spanish kept us from truly enjoying beautiful Sevilla.  Well, there’s nothing better than ending the week with a high-note Friday. 

That Spanish midterm, not as bad as I thought it would be.  Most of my class felt the same way.  And I FINALLY got my internship placement call.  To my surprise, I was preferenced by three companies: Pampling: a start-up, online clothing company based out of Sevilla, Vorsevi: an international engineering and consulting firm, and Ghenova: a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm.  After narrowing it down to the two engineering/consulting firms, I decided to intern with Vorsevi. 

While both firms were compatible in sector, internship opportunity and company size, Vorsevi stood apart because of its establishment in Spanish, Portugal, Morocco, Mexico and surprisingly the United States.  It never hurts to have another successful company in my back pocket when back in the states (JK, I love you Wrigley).  I am both nervous and excited to start my internship in a few weeks and hope that my experiences will not only improve my language skills, but also give me a better understanding of business etiquettes in Spain.

Adding to this good-news-Friday, our program took us on a tour of La Catedral, the third largest church in the world, after St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil.  La Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede, a dedication to the Virgin Mary, was initially a Mosque during the 12^th Century, when the Moors were in power.  Renovated with breathtaking, Gothic styles and elaborate paintings, jewels and sculptures representing the Reconquista, La Catedral preserves La Giralda, the only feature of the once Almohad Mosque.   Yet another great historical experience in Sevilla!

To top off what was an excellent weekend, we celebrated RJ’s 20^th Birthday (the baby of the group) in great style! Once again, the students were in high spirits as smiles and laughter filled the night!

A friendly reminder to my fellow colleagues in Sevilla, as we enter yet another challenging week: “The night is darkest just before dawn.” When you think things couldn’t get any worse, I promise you, everything takes a turn for the better.