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April 20

On Wednesday I woke up around 9 and went to my favorite bakery for breakfast. I got an ensaimada to go, and I ate it as I walked around the city once more. When I returned I ran into Lia, who had just received her chemistry grade, and it wasn't good.  She vented to me and Antonio for a while before we went upstairs to get ready for lunch.

The first stop on our "farewell lunch" was to Garnet for the video, which wasn't as good as last semester, and to get t-shirts. We took our FSU Valencia Spring 2016 photo in front of the Torres before walking to lunch. Lunch wasn't anything special, but there was free, unlimited wine. Marilyn and I had a bit too much, because every time we finished a glass, it was magically refilled. 

After lunch Brittany, Jacqueline and I went with Lia to her parent's hotel. We finally got to meet Larry and Adele! It was not what I was expecting. Then we went back to the apartment so Lia could start packing, she fell asleep, Lia left for dinner with her parents at 9, right around when Jacqueline and I sneaked out. We wanted to get dinner, to spend cheques, even though we weren't hungry, but we didn't want the 10+ people sitting in my living room to join us. It gets too hectic. We ended up running into Lia and her parents and we were invited to go to dinner with them. We did. The 5 of us went to Cafe y Tapas and we didn't finish until 11. They paid, which was nice, but then we couldn't get rid of our cheques...oh, well. 

We separated from her parents at St. Martian's Pub. We thought our group would be there, but they weren't so Lia and Jacqueline car bombed it one last time before we left. We ran into everyone else on our walk back and said our goodbyes in front of McDonalds. 

I sat with Lia while she packed her (SIX) bags. It was nice to have one last heart to heart with her before we separated for the summer. Then I took a 2 hour nap before Jacqueline and I left at 3:45am.

April 21

This is it. Jacqueline and I left around 4 am this morning because Jacqueline's flight left at 6. The taxi ride was the best I've ever had in Spain. The guy didn't drive us all the way around the city, he didn't text, he didn't speed too much, so I didn't feel like I was going to die. It took all of 10 minutes to get there so we were in the airport by 4:15, but nothing was open. We just sat there until 4:45 when the security gates went up. I had a little snafu checking my bag, but it all worked out and it was 2.5 kg. Ha. We went through security and I sat with Jacqueline until she started to board. No tearful goodbyes happened...I'll see her in 2 weeks.

I got an hour or so worth of sleep no my first flight, so that was helpful for my anxiety. After missing my flight in CDG last semester, I have become a spaz. I walked faster that everyone else on my flight, which was great, because I only had to wait in line for passport control for 15 minutes. I was still pressed for time, but I made it! The plane was fairly empty, so I got 2 seats to myself, which is great because the guy in front of me was being a jerk. I could also get up and walk around without having to bother someone else. I slept for another 2 hours on that flight and when I woke up I was greeted with gummies and a little Lufthansa toy. One of the flight attendants, told me later, that she left the gummies because she was worried I was scared (it was my teddy bear that made her think that). They also kept coming up the aisle with water and orange juice already poured. I loved it. The man knew to stop at me every time. 

April: final exams

April 18

Monday I received my final exam grade for Spanish and my overall grade for the course. I got an A on my written and spoken exam and an A- for my final grade! I did much better than I, at the beginning of the semester, expected.

Then I went to calc and crushed that exam, I hope...it was a joke of an exam. I'm not complaining though, at least I knew what I was doing. Then she gave me my trig exam back, in which I got a B, but that brought my grade to an A- and my professor just thinks it's terrible that I'm not getting an A. She asked me multiple different times of I was okay with my grade, because she wasn't, but she can't really do much. Then afterwards I finished packing all but my next few outfits and got acai bowl for dinner.

We packed up our suitcases to go to London, and shipped them off Tuesday morning.

April 19

This morning I got up to take mine and Jacqueline's suitcases to Garnet and to take my econ final. I didn't do badly, but my final grade for the course will be 89.97% and Joe, the professor, doesn't round up, as stated in his syllabus. I needed one point, one or of 1,257 points, but, nope, nada, nothing. I'm only a little bitter about it, but, I'm done!

I'm officially done with my first "year" of college, whew, this semester just flew by.

Later in the afternoon Jacqueline, Brittany, Lia, Emily, and myself met up with one of our former receptionist and her daughter. We got gelato and went to the park and caught up...it was a very long 2+ hours, but her daughter is just soo cute, so it was worth the time. It amazes me the entire time that Rosio would talk to her 2 year old in 3 different languages and she understood each one.

Then, after waiting for Jacqueline to finish her macro exam, we decided nut to go out to dinner so we made what I had left: popcorn. Brielle then decided that she was going to make us pancakes and bacon (which was supposed to be breakfast) for dinner, at 11pm. She made a dozen or so pancakes and 3 packs of bacon, that I actually made, and we had a feast. It was a very impromptu fam dinner, that only included me, Brielle, Jacqueline, Emily, and Aleesia, because we were there when Jacqueline convinced Brielle to make food.

Then, after so many hours of waiting for everyone to get ready we went out to a few bars and to get Irish Car Bombs with our cheques, and by "our" I mean Jacqueline, she paid for me and CC.

April 17

Last night we went out for dinner and drinks and got back around 1:30. Lia then kept me, Brielle, and Jacqueline up for another 3/4 hours, which was okay, we were having an interesting time.

With each of us running on 4/5 hours or sleep, Aleesia and I still woke up to go to mass at 11am. Aleesia isn't Catholic, but she thought she should attend a church service in Spanish...because she's in Spain. 

After church we came back and took group photos in front of the Torres. Our friend Sarah took them, because she's got the nice camera, so it was a mini photo shoot. We matched and everything! Then Logan, Jacqueline, Aleesia and I climbed the Torres for a final time (Jacqueline's first and last) because it's free on Sunday. We walked to the Torres de Quart, to go up those too, and we made it before 3 (when they close) but the lady wouldn't let us in. Rude. Then we went to an American diner for lunch for burgers, pulled pork and milkshakes. This restaurant also played a song from 13, the musical, which was super weird. 

I came back and packed some more, most of which was done yesterday, and I watched some Netflix, because there isn't much else to do. I walked around with my camera before it got dark and I took pictures of roads, alleyways, and places, just because I feel I don't have enough. I figured I wouldn't need pictures, because I would be here for 8 months, but now 8 months is over with and I may never be back (how sad?). 

April 15

Our Friday activity took us to the Valencian Port today. The 70 of us split into groups of 4, and my group started out easy with rope tying. Except, it wasn't all that easy, because the amount of English the instructors knew was very minimal, but it made for a great time. We were so good at that, we finished half an hour early. Some people started playing a game of ninja, something that was popular my 8th/9th grade years, and one of the instructors was intrigued, so he joined. In return, he taught us a Spanish game that he called "sol y sombra" meaning sun and shadow. In this game, there was one person calling out the terms and the others were following his orders. If he said "sol" you jumped in front of the line, and if he said "sombra" you jumped behind the line. You cannot do the same thing twice, so if he said, "sol," and people jumped, then he said "sol" again, you wouldn't be allowed to move, and if you did, you would be out. The person calling out would get faster and people would start to get confused, Once the first game was over, he added in left and right as well. At some point these 3 old ladies walked by, and they stopped to watch. One was telling her friends how to play the game and telling our other instructor that she used to play that as a child.

We moved on to group sailing, 4 of us controlling one of the boats with an instructor, that doesn't know English. Sammi had to act as translator, which she was pretty good with, but I felt clueless. After that we moved onto 2 people controlling a sailboat, and Nahee and Lia were the first, and only, of our group to capsize, and I saw it all. It was hilarious. Once that was over we kayaked back to the other dock, which was about 300 yards from where we were, and the wind was in our face. I made it though, and that's all that matters!

Then FSU provided us with lunch, which they weren't going to do (and it would've pissed quite a few people off), that included bread, salad, croquet, paella, and dessert (fruit, not really dessert, chocolate was not included). It was a great, 'last Friday' in Valencia. 

April 14

Yesterday we had our last Spanish exam, and oral interview about our future, which I crushed. Then I had trig, and that went well. There was one question that I couldn't figure out, but I got halfway-ish, so, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Today we went out to lunch for "Spanish class." It was technically mandatory, but we didn't really have class, and we don't have to go on Monday, so that's great. After lunch Lia and I went shopping, and we ran into Logan at H&M. We stayed out from 2-7 just walking around Valencia, and walking in and out of stores. It was a great day for shopping, for us, anyway. Lia is convinced it's because of her self-proclaimed "lucky Irish coin," that Brittany brought back for her. I got really cute shorts and tank-tops for the summer, and Lia and Logan both bought a ton of clothes. It was really a success.

Lia and I ordered in for dinner and had our own date while everyone else went out for crepes, which is where we went for lunch.

Also, there are a bunch of US Marines walking around Valencia because they're docked here for the night. They're drinking way too early for Spaniard standards, so we let them know, but they've got to be back on the boat at midnight.

April 12

I received 2 e-mails from my math teacher today, the first was about the pre-calc exam, and the second was about the trig exam. Earlier in the year she told us that the final would be over, only the second half of the semester, however, when she came into both classes this past week, she said otherwise. These e-mails, though, stated that she had made an executive decision to only place second semester work on the exams, for both classes! I'm sure it won't work like this when I'm in Tallahassee, so I'm going to bask in it now. 

Tonight, we went to an Italian place for dinner, trying to use up all of our cheques, and then we stopped for frozen yogurt/gelato on the way home. The place we stopped at is one of mine and Emily's favorites, and no one else had ever been...once they did, though, they were disappointed that they were leaving. 

Then Lia was doing everyone's make-up and the apartment was a mad house. They were all screaming and it was super obnoxious. I had to study for trig and Spanish, so I did that for a while, before going to bed before midnight. Wow, that never happens anymore.

April 11

Today has been a very, very stressful day.

Brittany and I studied for Spanish around 11:30, and then went to take our exam at 12:30. It didn't go too badly, and she told me that it showed that I had been studying...so, there's that. Then I came back and held my finger over the"enroll" button until 2 pm, 8  am in Tally, to get first picks. We have this really great program that you can type in what classes you want, when you want a break/when you don't want classes, and it'll generate hundreds of schedules for us. Once you find one you want you just add it to the cart and wait until we enroll. Which just happened to be today at 8 am Tallahassee and we all had to get first dibs on classes. On of mine only had 14 open seats left and I got it, woo! That took a lot off stress off of the day, but we still had pre-calc.

We got our midterms back, and I didn't do super hot, but I technically still have an A in the class, so now that just leaves the exam...

I went for a run afterwards, and then we headed to "acai bowl" for dinner. I'm going to miss it...

Once we got back we passed around this bikini that was too small for my friends, and BK didn't want to send it back, so I was nominated to take it, because it didn't look too bad on me. Yolo.

April 9

I tried to begin my day with trig, but that didn't end so well. Instead, I finished my letter to one of my former CHS teachers and finished watching Sherlock Holmes. I did do some Micro today, but not enough to really count.

Later, around 5, I went down to the riverbed, with my book, and walked to this little spot that's shaded by a fountain. I read for an hour and a half, or so, then started walking back when it got cooler. It was about 75 degrees today, so I wore my dress and sandals and I kept thinking of the snow back in Ohio...how unfortunate. I even passed rose bushes in bloom, and witnessed a man stop his walk just to smell the roses, it was adorable.

April 8

This morning began with a really, really, long walk while Conchin cleaned our apartment, and while everyone else was away. I came back to take a nap, because I woke up every half an hour the night before, but my roommate got back about 20 minutes after I laid down. This means that she had to open her can of pop, crinkle her bag of chips to open them, eat the chips, etc., etc., on her bed, because we don't have a kitchen for her to eat in...ugh. I took that as a sign that I should be out doing something, so I went food shopping (for Nocilla, a Nutella off-brand but 10x better, sour gummy worms and cookies).

I came back to look over math some more and then Emily and I headed for the Berklee Concerts at the City of Arts and Sciences.  We left once it started to get chilly and headed for crepes. Then I called it a night around midnight, because I never got a nap in...

*Everyone else is in Ibiza, Amsterdam, or Porto, but I decided I should just stay here this weekend, especially with my exams starting Monday. This is why our apartment is so quiet and empty, it's super weird.

I have also started rationing my items now that we're getting ready to head out. For example, I have enough underwear to where I wouldn't have to do laundry, but I have enough laundry detergent to do one or two more loads if necessary. My shampoo and conditioner are also at a low, but I have enough shampoo between my own and hotels that we've stayed in to last me, but not enough conditioner. I've started doing an every other day is a conditioner day and I really hope that gets me home. It's rough, I'll tell ya.

April 7

This past week is our first, and for some our last, week of classes after Barcelona. Nothing really spectacular has been going on besides the packing up and preparing for exams. Exams start next week, my first one being Spanish, which she is doing early for us, trig, and then precalc will be the following Monday.

The rest of the days have been spent packing up some of the non-necessities, Lia actually has a whole suitcase packed already. It's ridiculous that we're already packing up and getting ready to leave.

There is a lot of planning for next fall going on...like at the moment Nahee is yelling at Jacqueline to change her classes so they can be in the same one. Nahee and Lia basically have the same schedule, it's kinda weird.

On the weather front: the leaves are all becoming a bright green and bushes are blooming into hues of purple and red and the riverbed just looks like a fairy tale, it's like a perfect spring photo. It's been about a steady 70+ degrees outside for about 2 weeks now.

On the food front: we've been hitting up Almalibre (the acai place) more often and we all have "usual" they guy working there knows us...We're definitely sad to leave now that we've found such an amazing place.

Geneva

March 31

Obviously, our morning started around 4:30 with a taxi ride tot the airport. CC and Brittany we running extremely late though, we almost left them, because the taxi was there and the meter was running, and it was past 10 minutes or waiting. It was not a good way to start the morning. The flight was only an hour, but there was small amounts of turbulence the entire time...I couldn't even sleep. We got a free train ride to the station and made it to the hostel to pay and drop off our bags.

We went off in search of food, and of course, everything is super expensive there, so that was rough, but we survived. Then we walked to the lake, and it ended taking us 1 hour to walk to the end of the pier...it wasn't that long, trust me. We sat on some rocks and watched the swans and ducks swim around us, it was an incredible sight. We also got mini photo shoots in, hence the large amount of time it took to get to the end. 

We stopped at a store on the way back for some snack foods and then to the hostel. We checked in, made our beds, and napped for 2 hours or so. We walked around later that night, and we found this chicken place, that was raved about online, so we though we'd try it. It was great! It was, like, festival chicken ,served with a salad, bread, and french fries, for 16 CHF, which is about 16 USD, so not too bad. It was fairly cheap for Geneva, and it was really good. That's their specialty, you can order chicken, or chicken...you're screwed if you go there in hopes of ordering anything but chicken. The walk back was painful with how stuffed we were.

 April 1

I slept like a baby because I didn't actually get to nap as much as the others, so it was a glorious night. The hostel breakfast was better than the hotel breakfast in Barcelona, just because they had strawberry yogurt and a chocolate, granola, cereal that was delicious. We used our free, public transportation passes to get to the U.N. Building, and we ended up waiting in a line that we didn't have to wait in, but once we figured it out we got through super quickly. We had to go through security upstairs, pay for the tour downstairs, and then walk across the campus to the tour itself. The tour was pretty cool, I don't know what I expected, but I was definitely having a good time. We learned about the order of the seats (alphabetical, via drawing starts, and in French one session and in English the next). Germany, for example, in French in Allemange but in English it's Germany, so if "A" starts the order in the French session, Germany is up front, while if "A" starts the order in English, then Germany is in the middle. I just thought that was so interesting, I was nerd-ing it up. 

Once we finished the tour we walked across the street to The Red Cross Museum. It was really interactive, which was an interesting experience. The audio guides knew what room you walked into and would start automatically, and there were projections of people, and if you sat in front of one of them, or touched your hand to theirs they would start telling you their story. 

We dropped souvenirs off at the hostel and then got Italian for lunch. Jacqueline and I split a pizza, because food is expensive in Geneva, but with the pizza came this really great, olive oil and hot peppers sauce, whoo, it was honestly amazing. We walked around town after that, walking in and out of stores, but all of the stores closed at 7, which is super weird after living in Spain for 7 months. Seven pm and they are closing? What? Then we walked to a park area and sat along the water before dinner.

 April 2

Today was the day we traveled to France...seriously. We went to Mont Saleve, which is in France looking down onto Geneva. We took a bus to the border, walked our way into France and then to the mountain. We got a little lost at first, but some lady yelled out her window to us, in French, how to get to where we wanted to be, it was great. We took a cable car up, although we (me and Jacqueline) were up for hiking up it, we could not figure out where the paths would be or how people actually did it, so we stayed safe. 

 Once up there, Jacqueline and I got ahead of CC, Brittany, and Lia, so we ended up split for the rest of the day, which was okay, because we still ended up in the same spots throughout the day, weird. Anyway, we hiked about 5 miles total, so about 2/2.5 miles up and back. The views were nice of the Alps, but we couldn't really see the city because of fog, but the hike was nice, so it was well worth the travel. It was definitely a sight or experience I'll ever forget.

Once we got back down the mountain we took the bus back to the train station and walked around that area for a bit. This lead us to a park/grassy area, which we later found out was the back of the University, where the library was and whatnot. Then we stumbled upon a carnival, which was another experience, because everything was in French and German, and the safety regulations we have place in America, is not universal, apparently. The atmosphere was great though, the day just kept getting better and better. We stopped at a chocolate shop, where Jacqueline got some really good dark chocolate, with almond florentine on top, she ate it all. Then we came across a cafe like area, and I order hot chocolate, in French, of course, and it was insanely good. It wasn't super thick and pudding like, like Paris or Prauge, but, if I could make one, easily, myself, it would have been this kind, we think there was some vanilla added in, I don't even know, but it was great!

We stopped at a store, before going back to the hostel and I found chocolate Easter egg candy that was on sale, that I bought, because the only Easter candy I got was from Jacqueline, and most of it had to be shared...and the options in the store were amazing compared to Valencia. They had 203487320789675 different types of chocolate, they had Kellogg's cereal, they had ginger ale, which I don't drink, but Jacqueline was pumped, ooooh, and the Netflix Switzerland has Sex and the City 2 and every season of Full House (which ya'll in the States might have, but those of us in Spain do not) therefore, Switzerland is just one of the best countries ever and I love it so much. 

We went back to the hostel, where we met CC, Brittany and Lia before heading to this fondue place that trip adviser rates as amazing. They're right, they just don't tell you that it's a rip off too, depending on what you get. Each person had to get a main course, if they wanted fondue, or the had to pay an extra 15 CHF ("Because the band, live Swiss music, is expensive.") The band was terrible. So it became really complicated how much everything was actually going to cost. Lia and CC left to go eat Indian food, again while we stuck it out. We got the menu of the day, which was 55 CHF and included a glass of rosé, an appetizer, a salad, bacon/potato roses (THESE WERE FANTASTIC), cheese fondue made with champagne and dessert, which we got to choose because they were out of what was on the menu, I got Swiss chocolate lava cake. Obviously, with this much food we were stuffed to the brim, but they wouldn't let us share a pot of fondue, but there was way too much, way, way, too much. I unbuttoned my jeans around the third course... Jacqueline got chocolate fondue for dessert, which she couldn't finish, or start, even, but they also didn't give her strawberries. What? I know, how stupid, that's, like, the number one dipper in my opinion. Brittany couldn't even touch her apple strudel, but I had no problem kicking back that cake, it was great. I also don't think I ate as much cheese fondue as the other two, I know my boundaries. I really wish we had a meat fondue too, but, that would have been another 35 CHF, which was not going to happen. All we wanted was meat, cheese, and chocolate fondue, which would have been enough and we could have shared and it would've been good, but, nope, this place was dumb. Anyway, we made a pact to "never again" eat that much, ever.

 April 3

The only exciting part about my day was the plane that I rode to get home, it was super sketchy, in my opinion, I was sure I was done for...but I made it back! Then I got all my laundry done, showered, blogged all of this, and communicated with the parentals. I would say today was successful.

Barcelona...Again!

March 28

The buses (all 2) were packed full, so the chances of getting a seat to oneself was super slim. Jacqueline managed, though, somehow...only a little jealous. Once we got to the hotel Jacqueline and I were starving so we went to Panaria, right by the hotel to spend a cheque on lunch. We had to meet back at the hotel and then we headed off, with FSU, to see Park Güell. This was my third time to the park, and it still wasn't super fascinating. We had an hour and a half, and a scavenger to do, so the time passed quickly. The company this time around probably made it much better than my previous visits too.

For dinner, there were about 13 people total who decided they were going to walk with us and Brittany, Jacqueline and myself were trying so hard to get them to split off from us. It's difficult finding places that can seat everyone of us, a place that we'd all be willing to eat at, and it makes paying ridiculously terrible, because they don't split the checks in Europe, and we always find a way to come up short. After an hour of making everyone walk around groups started splitting away and Logan, Brittany, Jacqueline and myself ended up at an American diner. It was fantastic. It was super cheap and we got drinks, 2 appetizers, and a main course each for about 50 euros...it was a well spent 2 cheque meal. Although we promised to return to the hotel right away, we didn't want to, so we didn't. We walked to the pier to get dessert, gofres covered in chocolate and we sat by the water for an hour or so. The fish were really close to the steps, and the weather was gorgeous. I didn't want to go back, but we did end up walking back around midnight...much later than originally planned.

March 29

We woke up early for breakfast, which is normally pretty decent at the hotels we stay at with FSU...it wasn't. It was pretty bad, there was nothing warm, and it was really just a sandwich making station (lettuce, tomatoes, meat, cheese, and all), which most people ended up doing both mornings, but it was extremely disappointing. After breakfast we took a tour through Old Town, but the groups were of 30 people, so we couldn't ever hear anything so we were really just walking through the city with 30 other people, not being able to separate. We got a little break before continuing our itinerary for the day so we went to Starbucks for Lia and then stopped by the market. 

Our next, and last stop of the day was to the Sagrada Familia, and like Park Güell it was my third time there...and it's not even done yet! 2026 is the projected finished date, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death. I might have to come back. It's interesting to see things that I hadn't seen or noticed the first few times. The stain glass, for example, the only part I remember from my 2014 visit, was only added in 2010, and there are still panels that have yet to be finished.  Unlike my first time there, I actually listened to the guide this time.

We went out for lunch afterwards and then walked around Old Town some more. CC, Brittany, and Lia went in and out of stores, and eventually came out with bags of clothes (even though there was no room to store half the stuff they bought, considering we were traveling afterwards). Then we headed towards the beach, and just made it to the pier, again, which I wasn't going to complain about. We ended up in the mall, on the water, and had dinner there. On the walk back everyone decided to go out, so we changed at the hotel and headed back out. The first, and only stop for me, Aleesia, and Jacqueline was Obama's Bar. I remembered seeing it in 2014, so it wasn't as humorous to me as it was to everyone else, but we got drinks and listened to the live musicians play. We got back around 1:30, and Jacqueline and I had quite a few, interesting conversations, considering neither of us could sleep until 3am. She couldn't shut up.  It was a hilarious.

March 30

We didn't wake up nearly as early for breakfast today, we learned out lesson. It was also really hard getting out of bed after the night before and the little sleep we got. We got on the bus for  along drive to Figueres, the hometown of Salvador Dali. We walked through his museum, which had to sense or purpose to the layout, just as he had wanted, but it was really cool. Whenever I think of Dali, the only artwork I think of is his melting clocks, but he did so, so, so, so, so, much more than that. In the 3 stories of this museum, I actually only saw melting clocks 3 times. He was a strange man, that's for sure, but the bus ride was totally worth it. One of my favorite museums by far, probably right behind the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain. 

We rested a little at the hotel, once we got back, before heading to the actual beach. It was a lengthy walk, but it was a nice night out, so it was worth it. It was dark by the time we got there, but that was okay, because, at least we made it. Then we went back into the city for dinner.

Once back at the hotel, the madness began. We had things to pack and tickets to print (or download) and we needed transportation to the airport and whew. It was a lot. One of the most difficult things to pack: a painting Brittany, Jacqueline and I bought for the apartment next year. It's a large canvas painting, that the artist took off the frame so we could roll it up, but it's still about a meter tall. It's large enough, that we can later cut it into 3 different paintings, once we separate ( :(  ) and it'll still be a complete painting. Mother Kim (Jacqueline's mom) and Debbie (Brittany's mom) approved...but my parents don't know yet ;). We also had the fun of having Lia sleep in our room this night. Brielle, her roommate, didn't need to be up at 4, like the rest of us, so Lia invited herself to sleep in our room for the night...that was definitely an experience. It's not like I haven't shared a room with her before, but it's different when there is a shortage of beds... We spent the majority of the night singing country songs at the top of our lungs and we ended up with 3 hours of sleep.