Tuesday, February 10, 2004
I survived Morocco and made it to London. Will be in Austin in 2 days (Thursday). No puedo creerlo. (I can't believe it.) See you all soon!
Friday, January 30, 2004
Woo hoo!!! My sister Mikaela is coming from France to visit me and going to go to Morrocco with my school trip. How cool is that? And Matt may come too. What a great mix of all my different lives!
Okay, well I can't figure out how to make the pictures work within the webpage and I don't feel like taking the time to figure it out. I add captions to the pictures on Ofoto so you can go look up who is who there. I think you need to look at the slideshow view to see the captions.
Okay, well I can't figure out how to make the pictures work within the webpage and I don't feel like taking the time to figure it out. I add captions to the pictures on Ofoto so you can go look up who is who there. I think you need to look at the slideshow view to see the captions.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
So much for resolutions. I swore I wasn't staying out past two on school nights anymore. It's just too hard to go to school in the mornings. So what did I do? Stayed out until 5 and skipped my first morning class. Which is okay because it's so slow I can go every other day and be fine.
Last night was really funny. We met up with some guys my friends had met at the gym. (I haven't been once. I am so out of shape it's not even funny.) They were what I expected to encounter more in Spain. Very over the top compliments/pick up lines. "You're so beautiful. You're precious. You would make a perfect girlfriend for me. You have great lips, I want to eat your mouth. (Or something like that, I might have misunderstood.) You look like a princess. If you don't like me, I will throw myself off a bridge." Good God. It's flattering for a while but after three hours, it got a little old. So I told the guy I wasn't into guys right now and went and danced with one of my girlfriends. That's the first time I've used that excuse. It worked quite well though -- regardless of whether he believed me or not. Perhaps I would have been more amused if I had had more to drink but I was stone cold sober and was feeling rather cynical. It's amazing that made it to 5am on 3 drinks. Of course, it helped that we went to a 10:00 movie which got out at 12:30.
This was the second time I've seen Love Actually here, and the second language. This time was in Spanish and having seen it before really helped for the understanding. I think maybe I got about 60% of the dialogue. Which is an improvement over Finding Nemo where I understood about 30%. But that was the first movie I watched in Spanish. I've watched more movies here in two months than I had in the past year. Mona Lisa's Smile was so so. Calendar Girls (not sure of the exact translations of these) was really good and funny. Charlie's Angels was impossible to understand. In America was good but strange. There was some Woody Allen movie that Sam and I saw in English which was okay, but also strange. I can't remember what else. I think we're going to go try to see Lord of the Rings in Spanish one of these days but we'll see if we can fit it in. All of a sudden there seems to be to much to fit in before I leave. I've been doing a whole lot of nothing for so long, having to plan is kind of amusing.
Rather amusing story: about 7 of us went to a Morroccan restaurant the other night and went through a couple of bottles of wine. The food was okay but some of it was cold when it arrived, and mine, while hot was about 20 minutes late. Also, they ran out of the wine we were drinking and brought another one which we had to ask about because the last time, they had switched the wine to one twice as expensive. Anyway, this time, when we finished dinner, they brought out the dessert tray which had a bunch of small bite-sized baclava-type pastries. I asked for one of each which amounted to five. Then eveyone else ordered a couple, and then a couple more. For some reason, it didn't occur to any of us to ask how much they cost. We ate 30. They were €1 each. Ouch. Given that's the second time we've had a slightly sketchy thing happen there, we probably won't go back. Which is unfortunate because it's essentially straight across the street from our residence.
Last night was really funny. We met up with some guys my friends had met at the gym. (I haven't been once. I am so out of shape it's not even funny.) They were what I expected to encounter more in Spain. Very over the top compliments/pick up lines. "You're so beautiful. You're precious. You would make a perfect girlfriend for me. You have great lips, I want to eat your mouth. (Or something like that, I might have misunderstood.) You look like a princess. If you don't like me, I will throw myself off a bridge." Good God. It's flattering for a while but after three hours, it got a little old. So I told the guy I wasn't into guys right now and went and danced with one of my girlfriends. That's the first time I've used that excuse. It worked quite well though -- regardless of whether he believed me or not. Perhaps I would have been more amused if I had had more to drink but I was stone cold sober and was feeling rather cynical. It's amazing that made it to 5am on 3 drinks. Of course, it helped that we went to a 10:00 movie which got out at 12:30.
This was the second time I've seen Love Actually here, and the second language. This time was in Spanish and having seen it before really helped for the understanding. I think maybe I got about 60% of the dialogue. Which is an improvement over Finding Nemo where I understood about 30%. But that was the first movie I watched in Spanish. I've watched more movies here in two months than I had in the past year. Mona Lisa's Smile was so so. Calendar Girls (not sure of the exact translations of these) was really good and funny. Charlie's Angels was impossible to understand. In America was good but strange. There was some Woody Allen movie that Sam and I saw in English which was okay, but also strange. I can't remember what else. I think we're going to go try to see Lord of the Rings in Spanish one of these days but we'll see if we can fit it in. All of a sudden there seems to be to much to fit in before I leave. I've been doing a whole lot of nothing for so long, having to plan is kind of amusing.
Rather amusing story: about 7 of us went to a Morroccan restaurant the other night and went through a couple of bottles of wine. The food was okay but some of it was cold when it arrived, and mine, while hot was about 20 minutes late. Also, they ran out of the wine we were drinking and brought another one which we had to ask about because the last time, they had switched the wine to one twice as expensive. Anyway, this time, when we finished dinner, they brought out the dessert tray which had a bunch of small bite-sized baclava-type pastries. I asked for one of each which amounted to five. Then eveyone else ordered a couple, and then a couple more. For some reason, it didn't occur to any of us to ask how much they cost. We ate 30. They were €1 each. Ouch. Given that's the second time we've had a slightly sketchy thing happen there, we probably won't go back. Which is unfortunate because it's essentially straight across the street from our residence.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
I am so proud of myself! I just sent back a glass of wine in Spanish. (Yes, I was drinking wine for lunch.) It was one of the worst tasting glasses of wine I have ever had, so I told the waiter that it was not good. And he acted all offended and said that it was one of the best wines in Spain. To which I responded that while the wine might be good, this particular glass was awful and maybe it was the bottle. Then I told him to try it. He went ahead and brought me a new one from a new bottle and it was great. Yay!
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Yes, I know the links are broken. I'll try to fix them the next time I come back. In the meantime, use the links on the left and use your imagination. :-)
Less than two weeks left of classes. Less than three weeks until I'm in Austin again. It's still a bit surreal. I'm going to Morrocco my last weekend here with a group from school, then to Jerez at an ungodly hour of the morning for a flight to London. My friend Claudia is going with me to visit a friend there so we'll have two fun nights there and then Thursday morning I get on a plane for the US. Then to work on Friday ... which incidentally is the 13th. Followed by February 14th, which is of course Valentine's Day. How I managed such good timing I'm not sure. Pero sobreviviré. (But I will survive.)
Classes are okay -- I was going to try change levels before I left but I think I have been thoroughly convinced to take it easy my last two weeks. It's not the end of the world to be a little bored and it's not like I can't study Spanish when I get back to Austin. Speaking of which, has anyone reading this looked into Spanish classes in Austin? I'm planning to look into it when I get back.
This past weekend was a little tamer as I think I was starting to wear out. I only stayed out until 12 and 3 respectively. After staying out until 4 both Wednesday and Thursday, it seemed the better part of valor (and wisdom) to curtail the partying a little. Not to mention the fact that I need to rest up for my last weekend here. If I have a liver left by the time I return, it will be a miracle.
I'm waiting for pictures to upload now. This might be the last chance I get before I come home, although if there's any particularly good ones from this weekend, I'll try to make it in one more time. There's a bunch of good pictures of all my friends here, mostly from the residence but some other hangers on. ;-) Living in the residence is a lot like living in a dorm in college, only a lot smaller. There's seven people in the building now, with room for six more, who are supposedly arriving this weekend. Which is why both Bridget and I have to move rooms. Bridget is off to another residence (sniff, sniff) and I'm taking her room (sorry). Bridget is the redhead in all the pictures. She's British but spent the majority of her life in France and is completely bi-lingual in those two languages. She's also studied Spanish and German so it's yet another person who makes me feel inferior for barely speaking two. Oh well. Claudia, the one with whom I am going to London is the brunette in a ton of the pictures, wearing a pink shirt in the last few. She's from Italy but has lived in Finland and London and now Seville. What a life, no? And she might come visit me when she finishes university in Sept or Oct. Woo hoo!
Sweet! I figured out how to put pictures in here (I hope)
So in this picture, we have from left to right, Bridget, me, Claudia, Laurin, Fanny, and Julie. From UK, US, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, and Switzerland respectively. Everyone except Fanny lives in the residence.
This is Eric, me, Christian, and Brian. Eric, oddly enough is from Buda, TX, about 45 minutes from Austin. Christian is from Germany and lived in the residence until last week. Brian is from Denmark and is now the only guy in the residence, poor thing. He keeps asking us to change the subject from girl stuff but sometimes we always end up back on some other girl topic.
This is Brian with his harem, yet again. Me, Claudia, Katie, Katie's roommate, Brian, and Raffaella. Katie is from Arizona. We picked each other up in a bar my first night here. She is actually working here putting together the marketing and publicity plans for a new hotel in Morrocco, where she is right now. Umm, jealous much? Raffaella lived in the residence for a couple weeks and is now back in Italy and we miss her horribly. Definitively one of the best salsa dancers I've ever seen. One of the reasons she wanted to learn Spanish was to be able to understand the songs better. Impressive, no?
Well, I should get going ... more later ... at some point.
Besitos,
Melissa
Classes are okay -- I was going to try change levels before I left but I think I have been thoroughly convinced to take it easy my last two weeks. It's not the end of the world to be a little bored and it's not like I can't study Spanish when I get back to Austin. Speaking of which, has anyone reading this looked into Spanish classes in Austin? I'm planning to look into it when I get back.
This past weekend was a little tamer as I think I was starting to wear out. I only stayed out until 12 and 3 respectively. After staying out until 4 both Wednesday and Thursday, it seemed the better part of valor (and wisdom) to curtail the partying a little. Not to mention the fact that I need to rest up for my last weekend here. If I have a liver left by the time I return, it will be a miracle.
I'm waiting for pictures to upload now. This might be the last chance I get before I come home, although if there's any particularly good ones from this weekend, I'll try to make it in one more time. There's a bunch of good pictures of all my friends here, mostly from the residence but some other hangers on. ;-) Living in the residence is a lot like living in a dorm in college, only a lot smaller. There's seven people in the building now, with room for six more, who are supposedly arriving this weekend. Which is why both Bridget and I have to move rooms. Bridget is off to another residence (sniff, sniff) and I'm taking her room (sorry). Bridget is the redhead in all the pictures. She's British but spent the majority of her life in France and is completely bi-lingual in those two languages. She's also studied Spanish and German so it's yet another person who makes me feel inferior for barely speaking two. Oh well. Claudia, the one with whom I am going to London is the brunette in a ton of the pictures, wearing a pink shirt in the last few. She's from Italy but has lived in Finland and London and now Seville. What a life, no? And she might come visit me when she finishes university in Sept or Oct. Woo hoo!
Sweet! I figured out how to put pictures in here (I hope)
So in this picture, we have from left to right, Bridget, me, Claudia, Laurin, Fanny, and Julie. From UK, US, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, and Switzerland respectively. Everyone except Fanny lives in the residence.
This is Eric, me, Christian, and Brian. Eric, oddly enough is from Buda, TX, about 45 minutes from Austin. Christian is from Germany and lived in the residence until last week. Brian is from Denmark and is now the only guy in the residence, poor thing. He keeps asking us to change the subject from girl stuff but sometimes we always end up back on some other girl topic.
This is Brian with his harem, yet again. Me, Claudia, Katie, Katie's roommate, Brian, and Raffaella. Katie is from Arizona. We picked each other up in a bar my first night here. She is actually working here putting together the marketing and publicity plans for a new hotel in Morrocco, where she is right now. Umm, jealous much? Raffaella lived in the residence for a couple weeks and is now back in Italy and we miss her horribly. Definitively one of the best salsa dancers I've ever seen. One of the reasons she wanted to learn Spanish was to be able to understand the songs better. Impressive, no?
Well, I should get going ... more later ... at some point.
Besitos,
Melissa
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Okay, this week I am really going to work. I can't believe I only have three weeks left here. It's crazy to think that in a month I will be back in Austin going to work every day instead of in Spain going to school every day. And I'll be in a place where I have to search out Spanish instead of English. But I signed up for additional classes twice a week and am hoping to be done with the bulk of the grammar by the time I return so I can focus on conversation. I bought the second Harry Potter book, a book of poems, and a children's book of prayers. Those combined with the movies, TV and newspapers should have me in pretty good shape if I can just discipline myself to spend some time with them every day.
We talked today in my class a little about violence in our countries and I am absolutely sure that the US is one of, if not the most, violent country in the western world. In Spain, you're not allowed to have a gun unless it's for your job or for hunting, and only certain guns are legal for hunting and are very closely controlled. And also in many countries here, a year's service in the military is mandatory for all males. Very interesting the differences in philosphies and policies. Also, minimum vacation days are mandated by the government and are usually around 30 days. Oh, and almost everyone has a contract for their jobs. Many of my friends here can't leave their jobs (either of their volition or their company's) for a minimum of six months. They are always shocked when I explain how it works in the US.
Anyway, I have to run to do my mountain of homework ... all that I asked for granted, but still.
Oh and I got my hair cut last week ... at a school. That was an interesting experience. Very modern and European according to my friends. Check out the new pictures and see what you think.
Hasta luego!
We talked today in my class a little about violence in our countries and I am absolutely sure that the US is one of, if not the most, violent country in the western world. In Spain, you're not allowed to have a gun unless it's for your job or for hunting, and only certain guns are legal for hunting and are very closely controlled. And also in many countries here, a year's service in the military is mandatory for all males. Very interesting the differences in philosphies and policies. Also, minimum vacation days are mandated by the government and are usually around 30 days. Oh, and almost everyone has a contract for their jobs. Many of my friends here can't leave their jobs (either of their volition or their company's) for a minimum of six months. They are always shocked when I explain how it works in the US.
Anyway, I have to run to do my mountain of homework ... all that I asked for granted, but still.
Oh and I got my hair cut last week ... at a school. That was an interesting experience. Very modern and European according to my friends. Check out the new pictures and see what you think.
Hasta luego!
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Last night definitely goes down as one of the more interesting/amusing ones of my life. I was exhausted from being out until 6 the night before and couldn't be bothered to exert the effort to get ready so I just wore a t-shirt and jeans with a cardigan type sweater. Really attractive. I met up with several people from school for drinks at the bar on my street and then we decided to go out for more drinks and possibly dancing, so I took 5 minutes to throw on more "decent" clothes y vamos! One of my friends is gorgeous, tall, blond, 19, from Sweden -- really what more can you ask for? The two of us ended up being the only ones who wanted to go dancing and between the two of us we managed to get in free, get all of our drinks for free and get a fair amount of "attention." Then we met the owner of the bar and he gave us free passes to get in whenever we wanted. I of course proceeded to lose mine that night. That was one of my drunker nights ... if I keep up this pattern, I may not have a liver when I return to Austin. Oh, and then when I got back to my dorm at 7am, I decided it would be a good idea to wake one of my friends up to tell him what happened. Que disastre! Perhaps it would not have been so bad if I hadn't been out so late at the salsa place. Oh well! C'est la vie, no?
