Well, I'm happy to say that I am writing this blog on from my house in Arizona! It is soo nice to be home! But I guess I need to go back a few days to fill you all in on my last few days in Europe...On Wednesday I went to Disneyland by myself :) It was actually a lot of fun, just a little lonely! I even stood in line to get a picture with Mickey...hahaha. I went on my favorite ride, Tower of Terror, a number of times! On Wednesday night Angele took me to one of her favorite Chinese restaurants in Paris. The food was great...plus Chinese food was sounding really good b/c I hadn't had it in months. Thursday morning was a little crazy! I left Angele's house around 9AM. I somehow managed to fit all of my belongings into a backpack and ONE suitcase...which I thought was really impressive. So after a nine hour flight to Philadelphia, a four hour layover, and another 6 hour flight to Phoenix I FINALLY made it home. And at the airport waiting for me was my Dad (who was actually right outside the gate b/c he had come in on an earlier flight), my Mom, Emily, Hannah, Grandma Clark, George, Marie, and Brittany! It was GREAT to see everyone and I look forward to seeing everyone else in the next few days :)

I guess that wraps things up. Now, I want to thank YOU all for reading my blog the over the last 5 months. Knowing that people are reading this thing has kept me motivated to write. My Grandma Warren keeps a diary of what she does each day and has tried to convince some of us to do the same…so, Grandma…I guess this is as close as I am getting to that :)

I feel very lucky to have traveled all over Europe and to have studied abroad in Spain. It has been such a wonderful experience.

Me with Mickey and a really puffy jacket that Angele let me borrow!


Disneyland Paris!!



Me at HOME updating my blog :)

More Pictures!!

Liz and I with Esmeralda right before leaving...


Some Spaniards and some Americans before getting on the bus...


Marta helping me close my suitcase!!!


Chloe and Clement (Nathalie's 2 kids) at Angele's house for lunch...


Liz at the Eiffel Tower!!

Pictures from Paris!

A temporary Picasso exhibit at the Louvre...I got in trouble for taking this picture!!


A French breakfast that Angele prepared for us....


Me at the Eiffel Tower...


At the Egyptian exhibit...

Adios Amigos!

Sorry about the lack of updates this week! Things have been kind of hectic since I last updated! On Friday night we left Sevilla for Madrid (via bus) at 8:30PM. It was sad to say goodbye to everyone in Sevilla. My host mom, Esmeralda, was really upset when we said goodbye :( But I definitely plan to keep in touch! Writing letters to them and emailing Marta will be good Spanish practice. We arrived in Madrid at 4AM on Saturday morning...however, our flight to Paris wasn't until 4:30PM!! Needless to say, it was a VERY long day in the airport!! I ended up sleeping on the floor of the airport for a little bit. There were actually five of us from the program who came to Paris. Liz and I stayed at Angele's house and the other three were in a hostel. So, we arrived in Paris at 7PM and had to make it through the metro with all of the luggage...not fun! I was SO happy to sleep that night. On Sunday Angele had Nathalie and her family over for lunch. If you remember from my blog back in September, Nathalie was George's boss at the Embassy...we went to their house for dinner back in September and I had posted pictures. The lunch was delicious! Liz was very impressed with the cheese course b/c she loves cheese!! After lunch Nathalie and her husband, William, drove us on a tour around Paris. It was a very nice (and WARM!) way for Liz and me to see a lot of Paris. And I thought Sevilla was cold...Paris is FREEZING! They dropped us off at the Eiffel Tower and we decided to go up it! It was my first time going up and I'm glad I did...it was a great view of the city, especially at night. On Monday we went to the Louvre and met up with the other girls to walk around the city some more. Liz actually left this morning...she is heading to Dublin before going home on the 20th. I forgot to say that while all of this has been going on, I have practically been incapable of speaking! I COMPLETELY lost my voice on Sunday and still have not gotten it back! I plan to take some time to rest over the next day or two so I am all better by the time I get home :) Angele has been a WONDERFUL host to Liz and me...she has been making sure that I get better! Speaking of coming home...Did I mention on ridiculously excited I am to come home in 2 DAYS!!!!.....2 DAYS!!!!!! :) I can't WAIT. I am probably going to be beside myself on the plane ride back. It's been 5 months since I was at home! Well, I think I am going to go walk around Paris instead of sitting here on the computer!

No time!

I'm quickly updating to say that I haven't been able to update since Thursday b/c I was traveling and now have little access to internet!! I am in Paris and will make time to update tomorrow :) Sorry!!!!!

Last day of school...

One of the classrooms at Universidad de Menendez Pelayo...at little different than ASU!!


The computer lab at UIMP...


My International Marketing professor, Pedro...


Liz and Marta looking at something on the computer...


Liz and I in our room on our last night...

Video :)

3 down, 1 to go

Just got done with my third final. I took Spanish this morning and International Business and Comparative Economics this afternoon. I think I did really well on all three! Tomorrow I have International Marketing in the afternoon. Tomorrow morning all of the Spanish classes are having a party...we are all going to a local Churros and Chocolate place and then coming back to school to watch a movie in Spanish. The teachers are also going to give out grades and go over final exam results. I am really happy with my Spanish improvement this semester. I came here without having Spanish in 4 years (since 11th grade of high school). I learned more in one semester living here than I did in 5 years I took Spanish in Junior High and High School. Being able to learn something in class and then go out into the world and apply the concepts helps SOO much. And, of course, living with a family that only speaks Spanish helps a lot too! I definitely recommend studying abroad for anyone in college...it has been so awesome. I really want to keep up with Spanish so I don't lose everything I learned over here. I am trying to figure out ways that I can do that...so let me know if you have any suggestions!

My family (except Terrisa) is skiing this week in Denver!! I am SO jealous, but Emily and Brian keep on reminding me that I can't complain, seeing as I am in Spain!

Friday I head to Madrid with the group and Saturday I fly to Paris with Liz and a few other girls from the program. Liz and I will be staying with Angele...George's coworker from the Embassy. She is soo nice to let us stay with her!!

Well, I CAN'T wait to see everyone REALLY soon :) It is going to be awesome to be home...especially in time for Christmas!!

I will post my VERY last blog from Spain on Friday!!

3 days left

Well, only 3 days now until the program is over. They are taking us to Madrid on Friday night and everyone's flights leave on Saturday. So I have 3 days left in Spain, 1 day traveling to Paris, 4 days in Paris, and 1 day traveling home. So, only about 9 days until I am home! I had a great last weekend. Yesterday (Monday) was a big Catholic holiday and since Spain is a huge Catholic country we had the day off of school!! Liz and I went to the Cathedral to hear the children's choir. The Cathedral here is the 4th largest in the world. We sat right next to the huge organ pipes and the sound was beautiful! Well, I don't have too much time to blog right now...I have finals to study for!! I have three tomorrow and one on Thursday!

Pictures!!!

This is a picture of our apartment building...ours is actually the one to the right, behind the trees...


We get soo cold, we have to hang out under the covers...


Marta and I playing speed!


One of the main plazas near school...

Okay, now there are pictures!

One of the MANY wine cellars...


Liz and I at the winery...


They have famous people sign the barrels...


After the tour they let us all taste...I wasn't a fan...

Bodega

I just got back from a short day trip to Jirez, Spain...just about an hour train ride away from Sevilla! Jirez is very famous for Sherry so we went to check out a bodega (means wine cellar) in Spanish. We took a really neat tour of the Gonzalez-Byass winery. I guess they are really famous for their Sherry and their Brandy. Tio Pepe (a type of Sherry they make) is apparently the most famous Sherry in the world. It was crazy b/c there were barrels from the early 1800's there! Here are some pictures from the day...

Scratch that!!! Grr, it won't let me upload pictures again! I will try again soon!!

Last weekend!

Well, 2 more weeks until I am home!! I am really, REALLY looking forward to seeing everyone. I seriously get more exited everyday :) This weekend is my last weekend in Sevilla. I'm going to spend some time at home with the familia. I also plan to hang out with some of the Spanish friends I have made over here. On Saturday I am planning on doing some souvenir shopping with other students from my program. Oh...AND I need to study for finals :) Monday is a holiday (no school) so finals fall on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday we have a fiesta with all the other Spanish classes and on Friday we head up to Madrid for our flights. Liz, myself, and 3 other girls are going to Paris for a few days before heading home.

That is all for now...My goal this weekend is to take pictures of EVERYTHING in Sevilla that I have not taken a picture of yet!! And I want to take a video of my homestay!

Some random pictures...

This is El Corte Ingles all done-up for Christmas! El Corte Ingles is basically a grocery store, Macy's, Home Depot, Michaels all in one! It is huge and they are all over Spain!


I forgot to post this with the other Thanksgiving pictures...


Liz, Nicole, and I in Granada...


Me at the fortress in Lisbon...


Sierra and me in a restaurant in Lisbon...

Tengo Frio!!!!

It had been freezing cold the last week or so here!! I spoke to my parents the other day and my Dad said he was wearing shorts. I can't wait to be back in the warm Arizona weather!! Also, I have been meaning to mention this...

My parents would like to invite whoever can make it over to our house on Saturday, December 20 at 7PM. It is just going to be a little get-together so I can see everyone once I am back! My mom is going to make some snacks and desserts!! If you are planning on coming over you can just email my mom, warren137@cox.net.

Hopefully, I will have some pictures developed by then for everyone to see!!

Some pictures from the weekend....

Sadly, this weekend is my second -to-last weekend here in Sevilla. I am going to miss this place SO much, but I can't wait to go home!!! Thanksgiving dinner was great. We had all of the Thanksgiving basics...Turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and pumpkin pie. Pretty darn good for a Thanksgiving in Spain :) The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and hanging out with our host family. We haven't had a free weekend in awhile so it was really nice. Our senora's birthday was on Thursday, but they had family over to celebrate it on Saturday. It was really nice to visit with some of their other family members...or I guess that would be my "extended family." Haha.

As promised, here are some pictures from the weekend...

We thought the American flag at the Thanksgiving dinner was a nice touch :)


Big group of friends...


Group of us with the ISA program director, Quique...


One of Marta's cousins just got a kitten and she brought it over on Saturday!!!


Esmeralda (aka senora), Liz, Marta, and I...


A have some MORE thank-yous to give...
My loving parents sent me a great package on Thursday!! Another very nice little Thanksgiving surprise!!! You can see Marta wearing the hat they sent above :) She thought it was VERY "guay!" Oh, and Ms. Kim-she already has the window decals you sent her on the windows. It was so cute b/c she was showing her cousins all of the stuff my friends and family have sent her :)

ALSO, I got another surprise in the mail on Friday from my Grandma Warren!! Some Euros (which I already used to buy a shirt that I have been wanting) AND a nice Thanksgiving card. I seriously think I still have the same excitement now as I did when I was 10 when I receive letters or packages in the mail. There is just something so exciting about receiving mail!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. Hopefully you didn't spend too much money in the shops on Friday!!! I guess I will have to make up for my lack of "black friday" shopping next year! Dangerous...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! As I type this you all are probably sleeping in and relaxing. I’m at school :( But actually it is not too bad….our teachers know it is a big US holiday today so they are going kind of easy on us. In Spanish class we played Taboo (or Tabu is the name here). It was so much fun, but really hard. It was frustrating b/c we all wanted to use English at times to get people to guess the word. If we used English the word was automatically thrown out!

I have a lot of things to be Thankful for this year (aka-a huge trip to Europe and study abroad in Spain!) I am definitely sad to be missing Thanksgiving at home, but my school is having a dinner for us tonight!! We are all suppose to come dressed-up which is going to be a lot of fun. ALSO, I had a nice little Thanksgiving surprise today…The Froehle’s sent me a lovely package full of Gushers :) YUM! They also sent Marta a couple little High School Musical things…which I am going to give her as soon as she gets home from school this afternoon!! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH Mr. and Mrs. Froehle, Morgan, and McKenzie!!!! You guys are so thoughtful and I am THANKFUL for you :)

Today is Esmeralda’s (Senora’s) birthday as well. Liz and I are going to pick up some flowers for her on the way home from school. Hopefully I will be able to snap a picture of her too…I don’t have one of her yet! Also, I will take pictures tonight at the Thanksgiving dinner at school and post those soon!

Oh, I almost forgot…I am missing one of my favorite days of the year tomorrow!!! It has kind of been a tradition for my Mom, Emily, Hannah, and I to wake up really early and go shopping on Black Friday!!! I will be thinking of you guys tomorrow morning at 4AM!!! Hopefully you have a “plan of attack.” Haha.

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful day of eating and spending time with family!! I miss everyone so much and wish I could be there with you!!!!!!!!!!

Mas fotos del fin de semana pasado

A group of us at the Alhambra in Granada!


More from the Alhambra. It was so pretty, but difficult to capture it all on camera!


From the Flamenco Show!!

Here are some pictures from the skiing...

These are runs that I go down...aka...I'm an expert and a better skier than my brother :) Haha


Liz, tearing it up on the mountain!


Me on the mountain!



The four of us who went skiing! We are in the rental shop here...

Esquiando!

This weekend I went skiing in the Spanish Sierra Nevada’s!!! It was one of the best weekends I have had out here. We went up on Friday and skied all day. It was Liz’s second time skiing so I spent a little bit of time in the morning with her and then went off by myself to the very top of the mountain. It was so beautiful from up top…you can see the pictures below. In the afternoon we ran into a couple of guys from school who wanted to ski some more difficult stuff so I spent some time skiing with them. I can’t believe I had the chance to go skiing in Europe! After skiing we met up with the rest of our school group in Granada (the Sierra Nevada’s are just 25 minutes from Granada). On Saturday we went to a really neat Flamenco show in a cave. Flamenco is very expressive and emotional Spanish dancing and singing. It is actually really popular in Sevilla and throughout Southern Spain. I have a video that I am going to try to post from it. We also visited the Alhambra….the most popular tourist attraction in Spain! Granada was the last concurred Muslim city and the Alhambra was the residents of the Muslim rulers. The architecture is very Islamic-influenced…there is actually a lot of Islamic influenced architecture all over Spain.

It was a great trip, but also kind of sad because it was our last excursion with the whole group :( It will be nice to spend my last two weekends in Sevilla though.

This week I have two projects and then Thanksgiving on Thursday :)

**Actually, blogspot is being really weird and won't allow me to upload pictures so I will have to try again later!! Sorry!!

Pictures from Liz's camera

Here are some pictures I stole from Liz's camera...

Tapa's...spinach, beans, and a fried egg!!


Football game...


More Lisbon pictures...