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 :)

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! :)

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

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!

Chegg Promo Code from me to you!

Did you know that the average student will spend over $500 per term buying textbooks? Seems like an awful lot of money to buy textbooks that often get opened one time, right? Well, with Chegg.com, you will save hundreds!
So stop wasting your money and start renting from Chegg.com.  I’m on the bandwagon and I’ve saved enough to buy all my term papers!  Not really, but I have saved some serious cash by Chegging my books.  I have a promo code that will save you an additional 5% off your total order, useCC134740.
Want proof?
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It’s so simple, just search for the books you need and place your order.  Chegg will ship them to you fast and at the end of the term you ship them back for free.  What’s really cool is that they plant a tree for every order.
Don’t forget to visit Chegg.com and use promo code CC134740.
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So bloggers, go ahead, rent your textbooks and save a ton! I wish I had known about chegg my first semester of freshman year!
-e

Moving In and Loving Life

Hey bloggers and readers,

It has been a while since my last update, but I have been rather busy. I feel like I am experiencing the start of my new and amazing chapter in my life.
• On Friday, I moved into my new apartment with my boyfriend, Cory, at school, my mom, dad, and brother all came to help and slept over till Saturday. We all met up with Cory's family in their cute little town for lunch, then my parents went on their way back home. Later the night, I went to my first ever Steeler's game! It was preseason, and a terrible thunderstorm delayed it by over an hour, at that time we drove back to the apt to watch a movie.
• Sunday was great! We went grocery shopping and enjoyed each other's company. I established that at least once a week we make dinner together. This week was margharita pizza!

• On Monday, Cory had to go to work. He works for UPMC and after he volumteers/works at a lab; he's pre-med. I also did his laundry at the local laundromat...that was the worst ever. I am really going to do what he does and go home to his mom's on the weekend and do it there because I guarantee her dryer works a million times better! I also went to get my Pitt ID. yayyy!

• Today, Tuesday, I realized how much I love my life right now. I feel a little like a housewife, but Cory doesn't expect any of that from me. I just am a cleaning freak at times, so when I go off on cleaning the kitchen and organizing, that's all me. I wrote up a list of things for Cory to do, too haha. So Cory is at work and I am here writing this blog. I am completely content and overall as happy as a clam. School starts in two weeks! I'm going to try and go apply at AE today, hoping it will raise my prospect of applying for their summer internship for next year.

Please do not hesitate to comment. I miss you guys, I promise I will try and write more thought-provoking posts soon. I am just too happy to not write about what has been going on lately. I am actually not much of a self-talker. <3

-E

In your opinion...

Hello Monday Bloggers!
Today I am very curious about everything. So I have put up a few "in your opinion" statements and feel free to answer as many or as little you want. The more participation, the better! Hope you will join <3

• in your opinion, Evian's face spray for that 'dewey' look; what do you think of it?
• in your opinion, collegiates walking around campus in heels.
• in your opinion, paying $30 for a lipstick that is similar to the one you want.
• in your opinion, new Degrassi episodes.
• in your opinion, Jack Wills clothing line.
• in your opinion, the latest Teen Vogue magazine (Sept).
• in your opinion, what's the best make-up line out there and why.
• in your opinion, what clothing line is the best out there and why.

Wishing for your opinions and thoughts! I love reading opinions and formulating my own knowing what others think as well. :) Hope your weekend was wonderful -e