I have realized how writing this blog has made me start to enjoy writing (kind of). If you know me, you'd know how much I hate it. Anyway, wondering about my intern? you know where to go to read up on that, because that is terribly boring to write to be honest. I have quite a few ideas for a"rant/bitch blog." I think I am kind of funny, in a dry way, so the way that I rant, I am sure you might think it entertaining if anything. I will think about it, I just don't want to bug anybody with anymore venting than I usually do.
Vent for Monday: Traveler's Checks. Bad idea.
Vent for Tuesday: Dirty people. Annoying people.
Life's Little Luxuries
#foreveryoung
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Weekend! June 3-5
Worked, the usual. Here is where you can read all about my internship specifically. http://undergradinternabroad.blogspot.com/
First thing I did that night was go have a drink with my friend I made at the language school because she as leaving for Barcelona then back to Switzerland :( Her name is Sarah and she is very cool! After saying goodbye and having her first milk chocolate montadito, we took one last picture together and then I headed out toward Nuevos Ministerios. I was going to one of my flatmate's bosses' shows our at a club in Madrid called Tartufo. It was really awesome, because a) got in for free b) most of the Pitt kids went c) Pretty nice club. Snazzy, and not cheap looking. d)RAVE music! [I have been getting a little sick of regualr club music where all the creepy guys try and grind with ya, ew. Anyway, stayed up till about 5:30 am (includes a shower and packing), reason I mention that is because
...I went to Toledo for the weekend and I took the expensive middle of the day AVE train. It was an awesome weekend. I got to hand out with my aunt's best friend and her family. She is the sweetest woman ever. Her husband is awesome, too; he kept offering me food, drink, and tv. She also has two sons, one a year older than me and one about my brother's age. I haven't seen them since I was like about 9 or 10 years old! Basically, it was a great "home-feel" and I definitely will be visiting again for that homey feel :) Ended up taking the last train back to Madrid on Sunday only because all of my electronics died and I didn't bring my chargers. Here are some pictures of my weekend!
Nighttime walk through Toledo.
Toledo at Twilight.
Sarah and Me after 100 Montaditos.
First thing I did that night was go have a drink with my friend I made at the language school because she as leaving for Barcelona then back to Switzerland :( Her name is Sarah and she is very cool! After saying goodbye and having her first milk chocolate montadito, we took one last picture together and then I headed out toward Nuevos Ministerios. I was going to one of my flatmate's bosses' shows our at a club in Madrid called Tartufo. It was really awesome, because a) got in for free b) most of the Pitt kids went c) Pretty nice club. Snazzy, and not cheap looking. d)RAVE music! [I have been getting a little sick of regualr club music where all the creepy guys try and grind with ya, ew. Anyway, stayed up till about 5:30 am (includes a shower and packing), reason I mention that is because
...I went to Toledo for the weekend and I took the expensive middle of the day AVE train. It was an awesome weekend. I got to hand out with my aunt's best friend and her family. She is the sweetest woman ever. Her husband is awesome, too; he kept offering me food, drink, and tv. She also has two sons, one a year older than me and one about my brother's age. I haven't seen them since I was like about 9 or 10 years old! Basically, it was a great "home-feel" and I definitely will be visiting again for that homey feel :) Ended up taking the last train back to Madrid on Sunday only because all of my electronics died and I didn't bring my chargers. Here are some pictures of my weekend!
Nighttime walk through Toledo.
Toledo at Twilight.
Sarah and Me after 100 Montaditos.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Mid-week Report
Monday- First day of my internship. It was more like an orientation kind of day. I stayed for about two hours. To know more about what goes on specifically to the internship, check my Marketing Internship blog! So that day was just a weird day.
Tuesday- Regular work day. 10ish - 2ish. My coworkers are awesome, and the bosses mostly work from home and stop once in a while. There wasn´t really anythign specific for me to do so I asked a ton of questions about how they market themselves, what sources do they use, where they are (like what sites such a as facebook, google, their own websites, etc.), and sort of started brainstorming about what kind of project I can do to help them better get their name out. I was able to be admin of their facebook page which is cool small step into something that I could work with. Basically, it was just a day of reseaching and brainstorming at work.
In the evening, Mike, the faculty trip advisor for the past 2 weeks, stopped by the apartment to say goodbye to us because he was leaving the next morning for the US. Jenna, the lady who found all of our internships will be replacing him in approximately 8 days. We have had a lot of great trips with Mike and he was definitely an awesome advisor to have for this trip. He knew nothing of Spanish and accepted it. At least he tried to learn the basics!
Wednesday- Researched my own trips for a bit while at work, but then really got down to business as to what I can do. One of the ladies gave me a ton of suggestions and I will writing more about them in my Marketing blog. You can see this isn´t like the internships the other students have: they are given all fo these projects to do and are very busy but definitely love what they are doing to help their companies (most are marketing related). Originally, I felt bad about my job, but it had been only 3 days and I know there was some work coming my way, but I wasn´t sre what it really entailed. As Mike said to me the day he stopped by, the fact that I am taking initiative to make a project relative ot marketing for this company is definitely a great thing. I am trying to get something out of this and not just sitting around accepting what I am given (or lack thereof).
So Wednesday nights, my company hosts "Fiesta de Cambio" at a bar/small club in Sol. It is marketed towards past participants of their many trips, so they can gather again and hang out and even bring in new customers who see 'Forocio' written on their nametags, the 'Forocio girls' one of which I open in the mornings, and people liek me talking abotu the fantastic trips we have! (I felt like I was soliciting at a nightclub/one of those club promoters to bring in people in the first place.) Once again, I will explain more in detail about the 'Fiesta'. In all, it was very fun and engaging. Open bar 10:30-12:30, girls free, guys 5€ who can resist that?!
-Oh last thing, as I was walking through Puerta de Sol to get to the club around 10:30, I heard someone say my name who I passed on the sidewalk and it was 3 people I knew back from Pitt! Mike, Lucy, and Ashley. We a got a picture together, but really we could have been anywhere in the world, but it was still a very cool moment! They were on their last night from their multi-week European trek and they ended back in Madrid. I am sure they enjoyed their adventures!
-So Vy and I caught the last metro back to the apartment and as we got the apartment door, we coudln't open it. Someone had locked the top lock, which I had no idea there was key for it and how to even do that with two keys in the door at the same time. whatever. So to no avail after some knocks and calls to our flatmates, we heard the neighbors chatting (they speak english) and we asked if we could go through their backdoor do we could knock on the bedroom windows of our apartment. The neighbors were totally schwasted and Christina gave us a mic and headset for skyping, and some other random stuff because she was packing to leave the next day. So weird. Anyway, Sam basically died in her sleep that night and wouldn't wake up, so I flashed my handy dandy 19€ cellphone built-in flashlight and knocked on the guys' windows. They really did not want to get up and let us in, but trust me, it was not like I really wanted to fall into the apartment through a window. Yea, fall. The chair was further away frmo under the window where it usually is and I fell and have quite the bruising and scratch from it. So I pushed it closer for Vy. Ouch.
Thursday- At work, did some stuff for them such as research schools in Barcelona, mostly English speaking, so I could send them emails about our trips to Pamplona, which is coming up. I am a little upset in the stomach/spinning head from the open bar...and so bought a Napolitana de Chocolate from La Mallorquina (one of the oldest and best bakeries in Spain! and it's next door).
So for the remaining hour-ish of work I hope to work on their facebook for a little bit. Maybe later, once I get back and relax for a bit at the apartment, I will try and be way more productive with the project brainstorming. P.S. I sent my aunt an email with a brief description of my dilema and she gave me a lot of great ways/questions to answer in order to start creating a marketing project. She's awesome and a genius when it come to business, especially in marketing!
Tuesday- Regular work day. 10ish - 2ish. My coworkers are awesome, and the bosses mostly work from home and stop once in a while. There wasn´t really anythign specific for me to do so I asked a ton of questions about how they market themselves, what sources do they use, where they are (like what sites such a as facebook, google, their own websites, etc.), and sort of started brainstorming about what kind of project I can do to help them better get their name out. I was able to be admin of their facebook page which is cool small step into something that I could work with. Basically, it was just a day of reseaching and brainstorming at work.
In the evening, Mike, the faculty trip advisor for the past 2 weeks, stopped by the apartment to say goodbye to us because he was leaving the next morning for the US. Jenna, the lady who found all of our internships will be replacing him in approximately 8 days. We have had a lot of great trips with Mike and he was definitely an awesome advisor to have for this trip. He knew nothing of Spanish and accepted it. At least he tried to learn the basics!
Wednesday- Researched my own trips for a bit while at work, but then really got down to business as to what I can do. One of the ladies gave me a ton of suggestions and I will writing more about them in my Marketing blog. You can see this isn´t like the internships the other students have: they are given all fo these projects to do and are very busy but definitely love what they are doing to help their companies (most are marketing related). Originally, I felt bad about my job, but it had been only 3 days and I know there was some work coming my way, but I wasn´t sre what it really entailed. As Mike said to me the day he stopped by, the fact that I am taking initiative to make a project relative ot marketing for this company is definitely a great thing. I am trying to get something out of this and not just sitting around accepting what I am given (or lack thereof).
So Wednesday nights, my company hosts "Fiesta de Cambio" at a bar/small club in Sol. It is marketed towards past participants of their many trips, so they can gather again and hang out and even bring in new customers who see 'Forocio' written on their nametags, the 'Forocio girls' one of which I open in the mornings, and people liek me talking abotu the fantastic trips we have! (I felt like I was soliciting at a nightclub/one of those club promoters to bring in people in the first place.) Once again, I will explain more in detail about the 'Fiesta'. In all, it was very fun and engaging. Open bar 10:30-12:30, girls free, guys 5€ who can resist that?!
-Oh last thing, as I was walking through Puerta de Sol to get to the club around 10:30, I heard someone say my name who I passed on the sidewalk and it was 3 people I knew back from Pitt! Mike, Lucy, and Ashley. We a got a picture together, but really we could have been anywhere in the world, but it was still a very cool moment! They were on their last night from their multi-week European trek and they ended back in Madrid. I am sure they enjoyed their adventures!
-So Vy and I caught the last metro back to the apartment and as we got the apartment door, we coudln't open it. Someone had locked the top lock, which I had no idea there was key for it and how to even do that with two keys in the door at the same time. whatever. So to no avail after some knocks and calls to our flatmates, we heard the neighbors chatting (they speak english) and we asked if we could go through their backdoor do we could knock on the bedroom windows of our apartment. The neighbors were totally schwasted and Christina gave us a mic and headset for skyping, and some other random stuff because she was packing to leave the next day. So weird. Anyway, Sam basically died in her sleep that night and wouldn't wake up, so I flashed my handy dandy 19€ cellphone built-in flashlight and knocked on the guys' windows. They really did not want to get up and let us in, but trust me, it was not like I really wanted to fall into the apartment through a window. Yea, fall. The chair was further away frmo under the window where it usually is and I fell and have quite the bruising and scratch from it. So I pushed it closer for Vy. Ouch.
Thursday- At work, did some stuff for them such as research schools in Barcelona, mostly English speaking, so I could send them emails about our trips to Pamplona, which is coming up. I am a little upset in the stomach/spinning head from the open bar...and so bought a Napolitana de Chocolate from La Mallorquina (one of the oldest and best bakeries in Spain! and it's next door).
So for the remaining hour-ish of work I hope to work on their facebook for a little bit. Maybe later, once I get back and relax for a bit at the apartment, I will try and be way more productive with the project brainstorming. P.S. I sent my aunt an email with a brief description of my dilema and she gave me a lot of great ways/questions to answer in order to start creating a marketing project. She's awesome and a genius when it come to business, especially in marketing!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Semana 2
Sign in Sol that I thought was so good. Also, it was in English!
Domingo (May 22) - Went exploring through the city of Madrid. Found out Gran Vía, was connected to Sol, connected to Plaza Mayor, connected to Ópera, connected to Palacio Real, connected to el Parque del Oeste, connected to my apartment! (Clearly, I walked a lot that day.) Took a ton of pictures and had a few flatmates adventure out with me as well to get some awesome pictures!
Lunes - Day whatever of Spanish class at AIL. Had a substitute teacher, and we learned about what was happening in Sol and learned more about the government parties. He had a very different opinion and view of why it was occurirng. Lecture was about La Gastronomía Española (Spanish food). It was annoying in my opinion because I am a vegetarian and people look at me like I am an alien when I tell them that it also includes seafood. Basically I eat pasta, bread, pizza, baked goods, and cereal. Reason I am not fat yet is because of the immense amount of walking. After class Ryan Reis and I went shopping through the touristy areas since he needed to exchange money and the places I wanted to go were in the same area. It was fun, surprisingly; he hates shopping, so 75% of what he said were complaints haha. I also got a lot of great pictures of posters that are in Sol from the demonstrators. Pretty sure I napped once I got back to the apartment, I was still not used to sleeping in a set pattern.
Martes - Spanish class in the AM. Had some personal issues going on at home that I missed part of it. Afternoon lecture was going to the Prado Museum. Cool museum, enormous and definitely will return before I go home. Hung out at the other apartment for the rest of the evening, even napped there.
Wed/nes/day - Spanish class, better day. Lecture was going to the Reina Sophía museum a block away from the Prado the day before. It was nice, but too weird for me. Picasso, Goya, and Dali are all there, too! It was a lot of more recent artists compared to the Prado. We could take pictures as long as there was NOT a Picasso in the room. Went to the other apartment for the remainder of the evening. Everyone went out that evening except for me. Didn't mind it because I needed a break. Funny part: I was the only one of the Pitt kids that showed up to my A2 level class the next day ;)
Jueves - Class was empty salvo me and the English girl, Sarah. It was fun actually cuz we practed and talked a lot :) Went to get 1Euro coffee with her during our short break. Afternoon lecture: 5/13 showed to class. Jesus was the teacher and he was really awesome and nice. And the 5 of us learned a lot about the regions of Spain. VERY happy I didn't ditch like I had originally planned. Relaxed the rest of the evening.
Viernes - LAST day of Spanish class! After our short break we all convinced Sonia to continue class in el Parque Retiro. It was beautiful. First rain in Spain since I have been here! It was some showers there, not bad. Skipped the lecture, it was to Plaza Mayor and I had already gone on Sunday, plus the whole rain thing.
Saturday - Went to the train station to meet Mike because my flat wanted to take the train to Toledo for the day (since we missed the Segovia trip due to missing the train, heh). We arrived with ample time, but the train had sold out and our number to buy tickets at the manual office was super high. As we were waiting for the next train (1.5 hours later) we found out there were automatic kiosks on the second floor. Mike was pissed and it was HILARIOUS! We all walked around the neighborhood Atoche (where the Prado and Reina Sophía museums are located) and we got to the station about 20 minutes before departure and the security line was really long, then the gate line was kinda long. We made it on the train literally 4 minutes before it left.
Vy and I spent a lot of our time in Toledo together and everyone else did their own thing. BEAUTIFUL place. I'm staying for the weekend with my aunt's best friend next week, and I am very excited! I got my first salad since being in Spain in Toledo, as well. I wanted to pass out when I got back to the apartment around 6:30, but after I took my shower, I was invited to the other apartment where Sammy was already making dinner with Stacey and watched the game with them as the guys all went out to the bar to watch the Barça v. Man United game. Viva Barça! Nobody went out that night because we were EXHAUSTED.
Domingo (hoy) - Went to el Rastro (flea market) that is only open Sundays from 10-2/3ish. Then went to Gran Vía, then to Sol, and exchanged some $ to EU. Holy Crap, exchange rate! I still need Birky's...but I bought other cute stuff :) Found my place of work so I am prepared tomorrow! Except I don't know how to get it, but I found the door. There is no doorbell or sign, hmmm. I really need to relax soon. Enjoy the pictures!
WORK TOMORROW :)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
La Primera Semana (Week 1)
I have yet to figure out how I want to organize this but here's one way that I am going to do it.
Sunday: Arrived in Madrid's airport. Coincidentally, behind my friend Kara and I, two other students from the trip booked seats right behind us. Had a long day because we all stayed up until midnight because we were told that was quickest to get over Jet Lag. Once unpacked at our fabulous little 6 person apartment, we went a little adventure in our area - Argüelles. Later that evening, "Pitt" treated us to a dinner in Sol, where the huge demonstration is taking place. In general, it was a great first day.
Monday: Had day 1 of Spanish class at the language school and also learned how to use the metro flawlessly :) A few of my flatmates and I found our "hometown bar" around the corner, and the bartender was really such a sweetheart. In Spain, breakfast is served in bars, and restaurants open for lunch and maybe for dinner. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, rather interesting. Got a tour of a park.
Tuesday: Had day 2 of Spanish class. I am learning a lot there, very good review. I am learning a lot of common sense and helpful everyday phrases & expressions and even the best places for us kids to party and eat! Missed the afternoon lecture because I was tired and napped in the huge park that I live by : el Parque del Oeste.
Wednesday: Had day 3 of Spanish classes. Had to attend afternoon trip to el Palacio real, it was really nice. In the evening Jordan, Sammy, and I went to the Orange Cafe. Wednesdays are their awesome nights. 5 euro for open bar for an hour. After that, there was some dancing, but apparently the Americans really know how to dance and everyone else thinks we are weird kids.
Thursday: Had day 4 of Spanish classes. Attend a lecture about flamenco music and dancing. It is really boring to be honest. After that we all napped (my flat naps at the same time everyday haha). Then we headed over to the 8 person flat across the city and had a "family dinner," then we all went to an Irish pub in Sol, and it was nuts to get through the crowd, we needed a few detours. After that, some club promoter from Cali got us in for free into a club in Sol called Joy. It was a really fun night. Definitely a great bonding experience with the group! Had to take a cab home because metros stopped running at 1:30, so glad I am confident in my Spanish and where I live.
Friday: Attended class half dead, then I got a lot of energy somehow as we took a walk through Gran Vía and Sol for our afternoon trip. We all stayed in because we were exhausted! (Night 1 or 2 for me of staying in.)
Saturday: So we were supposed to meet by 12 at the Chamartín metro station where, inside, there is a train station. We first ended up in Pinar de Chamartín and missed the train. So we were told the next one to Segovia was at 1:15, so we went to get tickets and the next one was leavign at 2:20 and it was only 12:15 so we 5 flatmates decided to enjoy our day in Madrid. "Sorry aquaducts, I really didn't want to see you anyway." So later tonight more bonding time! :)
Sunday: Arrived in Madrid's airport. Coincidentally, behind my friend Kara and I, two other students from the trip booked seats right behind us. Had a long day because we all stayed up until midnight because we were told that was quickest to get over Jet Lag. Once unpacked at our fabulous little 6 person apartment, we went a little adventure in our area - Argüelles. Later that evening, "Pitt" treated us to a dinner in Sol, where the huge demonstration is taking place. In general, it was a great first day.
Monday: Had day 1 of Spanish class at the language school and also learned how to use the metro flawlessly :) A few of my flatmates and I found our "hometown bar" around the corner, and the bartender was really such a sweetheart. In Spain, breakfast is served in bars, and restaurants open for lunch and maybe for dinner. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, rather interesting. Got a tour of a park.
Tuesday: Had day 2 of Spanish class. I am learning a lot there, very good review. I am learning a lot of common sense and helpful everyday phrases & expressions and even the best places for us kids to party and eat! Missed the afternoon lecture because I was tired and napped in the huge park that I live by : el Parque del Oeste.
Wednesday: Had day 3 of Spanish classes. Had to attend afternoon trip to el Palacio real, it was really nice. In the evening Jordan, Sammy, and I went to the Orange Cafe. Wednesdays are their awesome nights. 5 euro for open bar for an hour. After that, there was some dancing, but apparently the Americans really know how to dance and everyone else thinks we are weird kids.
Thursday: Had day 4 of Spanish classes. Attend a lecture about flamenco music and dancing. It is really boring to be honest. After that we all napped (my flat naps at the same time everyday haha). Then we headed over to the 8 person flat across the city and had a "family dinner," then we all went to an Irish pub in Sol, and it was nuts to get through the crowd, we needed a few detours. After that, some club promoter from Cali got us in for free into a club in Sol called Joy. It was a really fun night. Definitely a great bonding experience with the group! Had to take a cab home because metros stopped running at 1:30, so glad I am confident in my Spanish and where I live.
Friday: Attended class half dead, then I got a lot of energy somehow as we took a walk through Gran Vía and Sol for our afternoon trip. We all stayed in because we were exhausted! (Night 1 or 2 for me of staying in.)
Saturday: So we were supposed to meet by 12 at the Chamartín metro station where, inside, there is a train station. We first ended up in Pinar de Chamartín and missed the train. So we were told the next one to Segovia was at 1:15, so we went to get tickets and the next one was leavign at 2:20 and it was only 12:15 so we 5 flatmates decided to enjoy our day in Madrid. "Sorry aquaducts, I really didn't want to see you anyway." So later tonight more bonding time! :)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Pre-departure Preparation
Hello All,
I will be leaving for Madrid, Spain for an internship for the entire summer next week, and I definitely plan to be blogging about because I am sure I will have a lot to share about.
I hope to gain more interest for at least this summer!
-Elisha
I will be leaving for Madrid, Spain for an internship for the entire summer next week, and I definitely plan to be blogging about because I am sure I will have a lot to share about.
I hope to gain more interest for at least this summer!
-Elisha
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Second semester
Alrighty, I know I have updated in a while but pitt's nuts at keeping me busy!
First semester at a new school university- great! I've been dancing and studying hard and also made a really good friend!
Winter break- who knew being home for two weeks would make me gain over 5 lbs?! But I was thankful for all of my gifts and time spent with family :)
Second semester- well classes started about two weeks ago and they just jumped into work! Geesh. But I've been living the fun part of college life on the weekends so I'm not complaining! If you don't know, but the Steelers won against the Ravens yesterday! It was a playoff game and lemme tell you, it was wildly entertaining. Although I'm not nearly as enthusiastic about football as compared to baseball. Can't wait for baseball season to start! Phils all the way!
Currently, my boyfriend and I are driving an extremely dangerous car that my parents thought was ok to give me at school, but really, it is unreliable and has many problems. Why we are driving now? We are on the turnpike driving back to my house to retrieve my car, which is very reliable but also a very nice car. I say this because I park my car on the street while at school because my apt has no private parking. And college kids, especially on weekends aren't very awesome drivers!
So in the news: movements of the planets changing Zodiac signs. Huh. Senator Giffords is breathing on her own. And this world is getting whackier.
I'll be trying to leave intelligent posts at least every other week. So sorry for the absence! If I had more followers, I believ I'd be more intent on updating, but I really appreciate my current follower's!
First semester at a new school university- great! I've been dancing and studying hard and also made a really good friend!
Winter break- who knew being home for two weeks would make me gain over 5 lbs?! But I was thankful for all of my gifts and time spent with family :)
Second semester- well classes started about two weeks ago and they just jumped into work! Geesh. But I've been living the fun part of college life on the weekends so I'm not complaining! If you don't know, but the Steelers won against the Ravens yesterday! It was a playoff game and lemme tell you, it was wildly entertaining. Although I'm not nearly as enthusiastic about football as compared to baseball. Can't wait for baseball season to start! Phils all the way!
Currently, my boyfriend and I are driving an extremely dangerous car that my parents thought was ok to give me at school, but really, it is unreliable and has many problems. Why we are driving now? We are on the turnpike driving back to my house to retrieve my car, which is very reliable but also a very nice car. I say this because I park my car on the street while at school because my apt has no private parking. And college kids, especially on weekends aren't very awesome drivers!
So in the news: movements of the planets changing Zodiac signs. Huh. Senator Giffords is breathing on her own. And this world is getting whackier.
I'll be trying to leave intelligent posts at least every other week. So sorry for the absence! If I had more followers, I believ I'd be more intent on updating, but I really appreciate my current follower's!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)