Journal 7: Friday Feb 27, 2009 4:12 pm, Spain time
I kind of wish that I had written in here sooner. A week from yesterday, Carnaval started! That Thursday there was a parade of people throwing around fuegos artificiales (fireworks) and playing music out of these horns and El Barrio was flood with people. It was so much fun---and SO DANGEROUS, which made it even more fun. So we danced and followed and ducked until they made it to this open area semi plaza in El Barrio. Once they stopped they decided they wanted to give out free wine/beer and salchichas—Spain loves their alcohol and sausage, I swear. After that it was just another regular night in the Barrio. I missed out on the Carnaval festivities. I got there too late, because I was chilling with homies at Mike and Alex’s flat. It was fun, I kinda wish I had seen more stuff at Carnaval that night, but it’s all good. Saturday night was the official beginning of Carnaval. We all dressed up in costumes. I dressed up as Rafael Nadal and everybody loved me. He’s like their Spanish tennis Jesus. I apparently looked like him too which was cool I guess. It was so much fun, hanging out with people that night. I had a blast and went absolutely nuts at Swing. Everybody loved me. People kept talking to me—I was the man. As a result of my not wearing enough clothing that night (a sleeveless tennis shirt and shorts is not warm at all!) I am no sick. I think I’m getting over that though…I hope I am anyways. Tomorrow morning my group leaves for Granada. I’m pumped. I think I might take a mineral bath and get a massage.
Jacob
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Jounral 7: Sunday Feb 15, 2009 7:31pm, Spain time
I haven’t written anything in a while. I’ve just been down to the same old thing. I haven’t met with any intercambios in a while, but I have some scheduled for tomorrow and Tuesday. I hope they go well. This past Friday was nuts! We were out forever. I had a blast. I got into the pimpest club in Alicante, Swing, for free. A friend from Ireland, Alex, got like twenty of us in. He’s considered the king of Alicante. It’s good to have connections. I got low! I ended up hanging out with this one American, Robbie, and about four Japanese students. It’s really funny talking to Japanese people in Spanish. I didn’t leave Swing until like after 7am and then watched the sun rise over the Mediterranean. How incredible is that?! I was out till eight and completely dead at the end of the night/beginning of the morning.
I found a Baptist church! Probably the only Baptist church in Alicante, let alone Spain. It was cool. It seemed as if I was at any other Baptist church, except everything was in Spanish. I had a good time. I needed that. I didn’t go today though… sleep seemed too important. I’m pretty sure God’ll forgive me. Other than that, I just have class as usual. I’ve been swimming so much and I’m loving every minute of it. Ha. I was in the shower and I recognized someone… it’s so awkward to recognize someone in the shower. I didn’t realize who it was until later… I didn’t know that person, but I saw him and a few other people speaking English on my bus home once. They weren’t of any English speaking country…I think I’ll ask them next time where they’re from. I really need more international friends.
I’ve been talking to Pepa (program director) about seeing if I can stay here longer. What I’d end up doing would be taking my spring break at the time I would have left, around the 4th of April, and then coming back at the end of the month… like the 22nd…and starting another grammar class. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that though. Pepa sent an email to the head of the program in Sevilla the other day. I have mixed feelings about that. If I can do it and it not be too expensive, I’ll do it, but at this point I’d really like to go home. I never knew how odd it would be to be this far away from home. I’d love to do something familiar---like eat movie popcorn or sit in my family room and watch House with my sister or walk to the caf at Georgetown and sit in the caf for two hours and be social. We’ll see what happens.
Jacob
I haven’t written anything in a while. I’ve just been down to the same old thing. I haven’t met with any intercambios in a while, but I have some scheduled for tomorrow and Tuesday. I hope they go well. This past Friday was nuts! We were out forever. I had a blast. I got into the pimpest club in Alicante, Swing, for free. A friend from Ireland, Alex, got like twenty of us in. He’s considered the king of Alicante. It’s good to have connections. I got low! I ended up hanging out with this one American, Robbie, and about four Japanese students. It’s really funny talking to Japanese people in Spanish. I didn’t leave Swing until like after 7am and then watched the sun rise over the Mediterranean. How incredible is that?! I was out till eight and completely dead at the end of the night/beginning of the morning.
I found a Baptist church! Probably the only Baptist church in Alicante, let alone Spain. It was cool. It seemed as if I was at any other Baptist church, except everything was in Spanish. I had a good time. I needed that. I didn’t go today though… sleep seemed too important. I’m pretty sure God’ll forgive me. Other than that, I just have class as usual. I’ve been swimming so much and I’m loving every minute of it. Ha. I was in the shower and I recognized someone… it’s so awkward to recognize someone in the shower. I didn’t realize who it was until later… I didn’t know that person, but I saw him and a few other people speaking English on my bus home once. They weren’t of any English speaking country…I think I’ll ask them next time where they’re from. I really need more international friends.
I’ve been talking to Pepa (program director) about seeing if I can stay here longer. What I’d end up doing would be taking my spring break at the time I would have left, around the 4th of April, and then coming back at the end of the month… like the 22nd…and starting another grammar class. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that though. Pepa sent an email to the head of the program in Sevilla the other day. I have mixed feelings about that. If I can do it and it not be too expensive, I’ll do it, but at this point I’d really like to go home. I never knew how odd it would be to be this far away from home. I’d love to do something familiar---like eat movie popcorn or sit in my family room and watch House with my sister or walk to the caf at Georgetown and sit in the caf for two hours and be social. We’ll see what happens.
Jacob
Friday, February 6, 2009
Yep.
Journal 6: Friday Feb 6, 2009 9:25 pm, Spain time
So I’m finally making this place home. I’m feeling comfortable, not felling homesick…and I might even stay longer than I had planned; I know it’s possible now at least. If I stick with my current plan I’d only have two months left here. I’ve been in Spain for four weeks! This is absolutely nuts. I just wished people were friendlier here. People aren’t unfriendly, but small talk makes no sense to them. It’s kind of sad I think… but I’m from Kentucky. I don’t get a head nod or anything. Oh well. So I’ve been trying to plan out what I’m going to be doing the rest of my time here. Next week though I might either go to this small town Southwest of Alicante or Italy…yo no sé. Carnaval is this month too in Alicante. March is full up though. I’m gonna go to Granada the last day of Feb/first day of March. I’ll be going to Sevilla the first full weekend in March. Like the 6th – 8th I think… not too sure though, I’ll be going to Ireland for St. Patty’s Day. How pimp is that?! Then there’s las Fayas in Valencia the next week. Las Fayas is just a big party that completely takes over Valencia. Then the last weekend I’ll be going to Mallorca or Ibiza for my birthday! I mean for real, who goes to Ibiza for their birthday ever? At home…well at school…I’d just do nothing or go to Applebees. I need some trunks though. I swear they don’t sell regular swimming trunks here. This weekend I’m just chilling here though and going out with the homies… doing the same ol’ same ol’. I’m going to look pimp tonight though. I bought a new shirt at this store called Zara. I will look pimp. Oh, I met with my first intercambio this week. He seemed cool. His name is Ángel Blanco—un poquito raro yo pienso. Oh and this weekend I’m going to have an intercambio on roids. I just mean it’s going to be a big intercambio. Should be fun… I hope. Well, I need to take a nap.
Jacob
So I’m finally making this place home. I’m feeling comfortable, not felling homesick…and I might even stay longer than I had planned; I know it’s possible now at least. If I stick with my current plan I’d only have two months left here. I’ve been in Spain for four weeks! This is absolutely nuts. I just wished people were friendlier here. People aren’t unfriendly, but small talk makes no sense to them. It’s kind of sad I think… but I’m from Kentucky. I don’t get a head nod or anything. Oh well. So I’ve been trying to plan out what I’m going to be doing the rest of my time here. Next week though I might either go to this small town Southwest of Alicante or Italy…yo no sé. Carnaval is this month too in Alicante. March is full up though. I’m gonna go to Granada the last day of Feb/first day of March. I’ll be going to Sevilla the first full weekend in March. Like the 6th – 8th I think… not too sure though, I’ll be going to Ireland for St. Patty’s Day. How pimp is that?! Then there’s las Fayas in Valencia the next week. Las Fayas is just a big party that completely takes over Valencia. Then the last weekend I’ll be going to Mallorca or Ibiza for my birthday! I mean for real, who goes to Ibiza for their birthday ever? At home…well at school…I’d just do nothing or go to Applebees. I need some trunks though. I swear they don’t sell regular swimming trunks here. This weekend I’m just chilling here though and going out with the homies… doing the same ol’ same ol’. I’m going to look pimp tonight though. I bought a new shirt at this store called Zara. I will look pimp. Oh, I met with my first intercambio this week. He seemed cool. His name is Ángel Blanco—un poquito raro yo pienso. Oh and this weekend I’m going to have an intercambio on roids. I just mean it’s going to be a big intercambio. Should be fun… I hope. Well, I need to take a nap.
Jacob
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Anoche
Journal 5: Sunday Feb 1, 2009 7:01 pm Spain time
This weekend was fun. It was pretty much the same old thing; hanging out in El Barrio with the homies. I didn’t really do much Saturday, but sleep in until it was time to go out. So I’m outside of Austin’s (a pub) talk to some friends when this old baracha (drunk lady) grabbed my arm. Well she wasn’t old, probably in her late fifties. She started hitting on me. She kept pointing at me and saying “You…yes.” I felt so awkward. The she poked my nose a few times and started telling me I look like Rafael Nadal. I guess that’s a compliment? I don’t know. Regardless, I felt awkward. Then she tried to take my friend Steve home with her. I swear to my goodness. It was pretty funny. That’s really all my night consisted of last night. I didn’t really go dancing or anything. It’s good though to hang out with people. Oh, I ate burger king. Burger’s taste so good when you don’t have the chance to eat them hardly. I don’t hardly ever go to Burger King or McDonalds when I’m home… but here for some reason, it just calls me to it. Then I had a crepe—I’m addicted.
Jacob
This weekend was fun. It was pretty much the same old thing; hanging out in El Barrio with the homies. I didn’t really do much Saturday, but sleep in until it was time to go out. So I’m outside of Austin’s (a pub) talk to some friends when this old baracha (drunk lady) grabbed my arm. Well she wasn’t old, probably in her late fifties. She started hitting on me. She kept pointing at me and saying “You…yes.” I felt so awkward. The she poked my nose a few times and started telling me I look like Rafael Nadal. I guess that’s a compliment? I don’t know. Regardless, I felt awkward. Then she tried to take my friend Steve home with her. I swear to my goodness. It was pretty funny. That’s really all my night consisted of last night. I didn’t really go dancing or anything. It’s good though to hang out with people. Oh, I ate burger king. Burger’s taste so good when you don’t have the chance to eat them hardly. I don’t hardly ever go to Burger King or McDonalds when I’m home… but here for some reason, it just calls me to it. Then I had a crepe—I’m addicted.
Jacob
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tha Beach.. WHAT?!
Journal 4: Friday Jan 30, 2009 7:55 pm Spain time
Today was fun. I went to the beach. Like actually to the beach. Played some volleyball, hung out, wasted time. It was fun—except for the fact that the bocadillo (sandwich) that my Senora made me had bologna on it. She asked me if I liked bologna, but the word for bologna sounds like mozzarella, so I said yes. I hate bologna—therefore I took it off and ate a tomato sandwich which is not filling what-so-ever. It got cold—freezing—while out at the beach. It went form like 70 degrees to fifty in really quickly… well maybe 55, not sure. I walked back to my homestay and put on some warmer clothes then went to McDonalds. After that I got a crepe, because I could, and ate it at the little plaza we found the other day. Its times like that that makes me so thankful to be here. I’m eating my crepe in a plaza watching families walk around, listening to this British man sing pseudo-hippy music with his guitar and harmonica by a big fish tank. This is what makes me know that I’m going to remember this experience forever. I think I’m going to take a nap now. Siestas are my favorite. I’ll probably go out tonight. I probably need to be quieter when I come back in this house. I don’t drink, but I think my Senora thinks I’m an alcoholic when I come back into the house. I guess I bank around on the walls a lot. These walls make the loudest noises, I swear…
Jacob
Today was fun. I went to the beach. Like actually to the beach. Played some volleyball, hung out, wasted time. It was fun—except for the fact that the bocadillo (sandwich) that my Senora made me had bologna on it. She asked me if I liked bologna, but the word for bologna sounds like mozzarella, so I said yes. I hate bologna—therefore I took it off and ate a tomato sandwich which is not filling what-so-ever. It got cold—freezing—while out at the beach. It went form like 70 degrees to fifty in really quickly… well maybe 55, not sure. I walked back to my homestay and put on some warmer clothes then went to McDonalds. After that I got a crepe, because I could, and ate it at the little plaza we found the other day. Its times like that that makes me so thankful to be here. I’m eating my crepe in a plaza watching families walk around, listening to this British man sing pseudo-hippy music with his guitar and harmonica by a big fish tank. This is what makes me know that I’m going to remember this experience forever. I think I’m going to take a nap now. Siestas are my favorite. I’ll probably go out tonight. I probably need to be quieter when I come back in this house. I don’t drink, but I think my Senora thinks I’m an alcoholic when I come back into the house. I guess I bank around on the walls a lot. These walls make the loudest noises, I swear…
Jacob
3rd pre-writen blog
Journal 3: Tuesday Jan 27, 2009 9:12pm
So today I truly felt like I was in Europe. I was sitting with some homies, eating crepes in a plaza in the middle of town by this big fish tank, listening to a string quartet, and looking at a castle. WHAT?! It’s all good. I went to Valencia this past weekend. It was pretty pimp. I had fun. I drank way too much coffee on Friday night and was soooo jittery and then crashed at a bar/club thing. I felt like a loser… I literally fell asleep standing up. The next day was pretty cool. Went to an aquarium and walked through a river bed….the river doesn’t exist anymore though. The building around the aquarium—museums—and the aquarium looked incredible…I thought it was like Star Wars or Meet the Robinsons or something. I’m getting more and more adapted to my surroundings… haven’t met any Spaniards yet. I really need to get on that. I was talking to Mom today and reading about Kelsey signing with UC and being the first signee from HCHS…and I started crying--I'm a loser. And my Senora saw me… I was embarrassed. But I really like them. They took me on a walk and wanted me to feel better. I didn’t feel bad. I need to cry from time to time. This has really reminded me of how much I love my family, home, and friends. I could really go for some hongs donuts. And crepes here are incredible with nutella.
Jacob
So today I truly felt like I was in Europe. I was sitting with some homies, eating crepes in a plaza in the middle of town by this big fish tank, listening to a string quartet, and looking at a castle. WHAT?! It’s all good. I went to Valencia this past weekend. It was pretty pimp. I had fun. I drank way too much coffee on Friday night and was soooo jittery and then crashed at a bar/club thing. I felt like a loser… I literally fell asleep standing up. The next day was pretty cool. Went to an aquarium and walked through a river bed….the river doesn’t exist anymore though. The building around the aquarium—museums—and the aquarium looked incredible…I thought it was like Star Wars or Meet the Robinsons or something. I’m getting more and more adapted to my surroundings… haven’t met any Spaniards yet. I really need to get on that. I was talking to Mom today and reading about Kelsey signing with UC and being the first signee from HCHS…and I started crying--I'm a loser. And my Senora saw me… I was embarrassed. But I really like them. They took me on a walk and wanted me to feel better. I didn’t feel bad. I need to cry from time to time. This has really reminded me of how much I love my family, home, and friends. I could really go for some hongs donuts. And crepes here are incredible with nutella.
Jacob
2nd pre-written post
Journal 2; Jan 20, 2009. 10:01 Spain time
I haven’t written in here since I’ve been in Spain. I spent 26 hours in an airport because of snow… met some cool people that I just so happen to go to school with now… spent five out of the six days I was here in my homestay last week en el Barrio… and am beginning to enjoy my family here. At first I hated it. Well didn’t hate it, but I was so homesick at night I couldn’t hardly stand it. But now, I’m making Alicante more of my home. The other day I ate lunch with Lindsey Whitt’s lesbians. They were pretty cool. Oh and today I watched the presidential inauguration in a dining room of a small apartment with about 12 of my new friends here. It’s really something to be half way around the world and finally realize the importance of these things. And it was a very singular moment of my life. I don’t have much of a taste for Obama yet… we’ll see what happens… but it was just a unique experience. I know that I’ll say, “I was here…with these people…when.” I’m having a good time. Me, Kyle, Steve, and Lindsey are trying to figure out where to go this weekend. I think it’s incredible that I have the flexibility to move around so much here in Spain. We’ll see what happens when it happens.
Jacob
I haven’t written in here since I’ve been in Spain. I spent 26 hours in an airport because of snow… met some cool people that I just so happen to go to school with now… spent five out of the six days I was here in my homestay last week en el Barrio… and am beginning to enjoy my family here. At first I hated it. Well didn’t hate it, but I was so homesick at night I couldn’t hardly stand it. But now, I’m making Alicante more of my home. The other day I ate lunch with Lindsey Whitt’s lesbians. They were pretty cool. Oh and today I watched the presidential inauguration in a dining room of a small apartment with about 12 of my new friends here. It’s really something to be half way around the world and finally realize the importance of these things. And it was a very singular moment of my life. I don’t have much of a taste for Obama yet… we’ll see what happens… but it was just a unique experience. I know that I’ll say, “I was here…with these people…when.” I’m having a good time. Me, Kyle, Steve, and Lindsey are trying to figure out where to go this weekend. I think it’s incredible that I have the flexibility to move around so much here in Spain. We’ll see what happens when it happens.
Jacob
Arrival/Airport/Nonsense
I wrote this a while back and am just now setting up this blog...so here's this:
Journal 1 3:08 pm, Central 01/08/2009
So I am currently chilling in the Chicago O’Hare airport waiting, sitting, and doing nothing until my plane gets here. I have no idea what to think. I’ve been absolutely freaking out the past week anticipating this trip/adventure/I don’t know what. Its nuts. Once my plane arrives I fly straight from here to Madrid and then on to Alicante. I’m not really concerned with the flight right now. I’ve flown over seas before, so it’s no big deal. My biggest fear is that my baggage gets lost. I worry about the dumbest things when I do trips like this. This morning before I left home to go to Louisville and catch my first flight, I started spazzing out because I couldn’t find my deodorant. I am very particular about my deodorant and I don’t trust European deodorant. Regardless, I was flipping out for no reason arguing with my mom the importance of finding this missing deodorant instead of buying some more. It was wasted energy and I apologized to my mom later for that.
I’m not quite as worried right now as I have been. I haven’t been too concerned with going to a foreign country so much as leaving a familiar one. I guess I’m worried that I’m going to miss out on a lot at school and at home while I’m gone. At the same time, I’m worried about my taxi ride from the airport in Alicante to my hotel. It would absolutely suck to get lost on my first day in Spain. Things like that tend to happen to me though. This past summer when I was working for the Kentucky Governors Scholars Program, I got locked out of my room wearing only a towel less than an hour before the scholars and their parents were supposed to arrive. I really want to avoid catastrophe. We’ll see what happens.
Jacob
Journal 1 3:08 pm, Central 01/08/2009
So I am currently chilling in the Chicago O’Hare airport waiting, sitting, and doing nothing until my plane gets here. I have no idea what to think. I’ve been absolutely freaking out the past week anticipating this trip/adventure/I don’t know what. Its nuts. Once my plane arrives I fly straight from here to Madrid and then on to Alicante. I’m not really concerned with the flight right now. I’ve flown over seas before, so it’s no big deal. My biggest fear is that my baggage gets lost. I worry about the dumbest things when I do trips like this. This morning before I left home to go to Louisville and catch my first flight, I started spazzing out because I couldn’t find my deodorant. I am very particular about my deodorant and I don’t trust European deodorant. Regardless, I was flipping out for no reason arguing with my mom the importance of finding this missing deodorant instead of buying some more. It was wasted energy and I apologized to my mom later for that.
I’m not quite as worried right now as I have been. I haven’t been too concerned with going to a foreign country so much as leaving a familiar one. I guess I’m worried that I’m going to miss out on a lot at school and at home while I’m gone. At the same time, I’m worried about my taxi ride from the airport in Alicante to my hotel. It would absolutely suck to get lost on my first day in Spain. Things like that tend to happen to me though. This past summer when I was working for the Kentucky Governors Scholars Program, I got locked out of my room wearing only a towel less than an hour before the scholars and their parents were supposed to arrive. I really want to avoid catastrophe. We’ll see what happens.
Jacob
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