I realized I have been here a month already and only posted maybe two times... I sincerely apologize for my lack of priorities! Studying abroad is absolutely unreal, and yet it has finally sunk in that it is my reality. I have already done more than I ever expected to do by my age and I still have so much to look forward to in the next couple of months. I have booked flights by myself, searched for the cheapest deals, booked hostels and hotels, figured out how to live life in the big city commuting on the metro every day, got my watch fixed only speaking Spanish to the employee, overcome language barriers, gotten lost and found my way, slept in an airport, and traveled to Portugal. That's just a quick recap of everything I've already accomplished. It's a really great feeling finally realizing that I can do things on my own. It definitely makes me appreciate everything my parents and family and others have helped me with and done for me throughout my life. I've learned that it takes a lot more to take care of yourself than just asking your parents what's going on. I feel very independent here and realize that it's ok to get lost, ask for directions, make mistakes, because eventually it all works out. Anyway that's just my reflections on feeling so grown up and capable of conquering the world!
So about that conquering the world thing... I definitely have no desire to actually conquer the world, but I am working on exploring the world (aka Europe) right now. This past weekend I spent an unbelievably amazing trip in Lisbon, Portugal. My friends and I slept in the Madrid airport Thursday night to catch our early flight to Lisbon. I slept totally fine of course, I wrapped up myself and all my stuff in my slanket and had a good sleep! My friends didn't sleep quite as well... I'm so thankful for my gift of sleeping anytime, anywhere! Then we woke up early to go through security, and had some breakfast. I asked for pancakes and they asked me something about chocolate, so I said "yes" not knowing what I was agreeing to. I thought maybe it was hot chocolate, but then they asked me if I wanted a cappuccino, so then I said "yes" and was even more confused.... Turns out I got pancakes with chocolate syrup on them and a cappuccino. It was a breakfast of champions for sure! Our flight was delayed a little, but still good. I saw the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen in my life! Then we arrived in Lisbon!
We stayed at Yes! Hostel for the weekend. It was a very nice hostel! We met people from all over the world, some Slovenians, Australians, Brits, and Brazilians. Besides taking a frigid cold shower, it was a great experience! After we checked into the hostel we went to the Oceanarium! It is one of Europe's largest aquarium's and it was so fabulous!! There were so many fish, and sharks, and stingrays, and turtles. I absolutely loved it! We had to walk through a mall to get to the metro on our way home, so we shopped a little. I got a really cute dress and skirt for a great deal! Since no one slept a ton Thursday night we went back to our hostel, ate dinner, and called it a night.
Saturday was a great day. We did the I Hate Tourism Tour in Lisbon. They took us to a place called Sintra where we ate a delicious cream pastry thing, a cherry liquor shot in a chocolate shot glass, and toured a cool garden. By garden I mean medieval castle type forest... There were underground tunnels, castle turrets, and a couple of giant wells. I got to be Rapunzel. Then we had a traditional Portugese lunch of chorizo. It was bread with pepperoni like meat baked inside of it. We ate near a little outdoor market so we all bought some fresh fruit to go with lunch. Next we went to the western most point of Europe! I was as close to home as I can get for the next three months (besides having my mom's brownies and Jif peanut butter in my closet right now). The coast was beautiful! The point was on a cliff that dropped off to the ocean. The giant waves hitting the rocks was such a cool thing to see. It was so peaceful and calm and beautiful there. I could have sat there with the sun burning my face for hours! Then we went to the beach! We got to see real surfers catching some waves (I should mention it was the coldest weekend of the year, only about 40 degrees, and they were in the water!). We all rolled up our pants and walked to the edge of the water. It was absolutely frigid!! but the sand and sun was so great and so much fun... until the waves almost carried my shoes away... thanks to my friend for sacrificing her camera to save my shoes!! (the camera is finally feeling better after that experience though) Then after some incredible ice cream we went to a monument commemorating explorers. There was a band doing a street performance of traditional Portugese music and cool tamborine throwing. The tour guides gave us these undescribably magnificent pastries to end our excursion. They are from a place that only 2 or 3 people total know the actual recipe. It's the only place in Portugal where the authentic pastry is sold, there are plenty of copies, but none are as delicious as the original! The line is always at least a 30 minute wait out the door to get one. It was heavenly! Then our tour ended.
On our way back to the hostel we happened across a basilica! We went inside just to look around, and it happened to have an adoration chapel! I think my absolute favorite part of the trip was the next hour and half that I spent by myself. I stayed in adoration for a while and then decided to walk back to the hostel. The sun was just setting so I walked a block further than the hostel to coast. I sat on the pier and watched an unbelievably gorgeous sunset. It was nice to have a while to myself and sit and reflect on what has been going on in the past month. I realized I haven't really talked to anyone from home besides my parents, I should really be better about communication. I miss my friends and family so much, but after seeing how quickly this month has gone by, I realize I'll be home in no time. I am really taking advantage of my time here in Europe. I have a trip to Switzerland planned for two weeks from now, and in the process of planning more. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given and can't even describe how happy I am. I realized that these opportunities don't come to everyone and I really need to enjoy the time I have. I have been more stressed than I've ever been in my life with school, but I'm in Madrid so I should probably suck it up. I could be this stressed in St. Louis, but instead I get to travel the world in between exams. Sometimes it's overwhelming being so stressed and homesick all at the same time, but I really am having the time of my life.
This week and next are going to be the hardest weeks of the semester, so I'd appreciate some prayers. I have a couple of test out's for my clinical labs, and four other tests next week, in addition to the regular amounts of work I always have to do. There's more pressure on me this semester because of unfortunate circumstances. I HAVE to do well on EVERY test, and every assignment, and of course it's our hardest semester yet in the School of Nursing. It's also a new curriculum so the teacher's are still getting organized and figuring everything out, not to mention I'm in a foreign country trying to accomplish what seems to be impossible. Like I said though, I'd rather be here abroad stressing out than in good ole St. Louis. Once all these tests coming up are over though, I get to relax for a weekend in Geneva, Switzerland! and by relax I mean have a crazy amazing weekend full of adventure! St. Joseph Cupertino, Pray for me!
I promise I'll start posting more often...
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