Bon Nadal

Bon nadal everybody. That's Merry Christmas in Catalan! Anyways, the holidays are finally upon us and what better way to celebrate than with a blog update?

I know that it's been a while since I did this and for that, I apologize. Time just gets away from me here! I can't  believe that I've been here for over two months. As homesick as I get sometimes, I wouldn't change a thing. I know that everything I'm doing here will benefit me in the long haul, I can already feel myself changing. I've become so much more independent, going places by myself, paying for myself, everything. Back in Lexington, I would never take public transportation alone but here, I don't mind it at all. It's actually kind of fun. I would take the metro all day if I could, but that would cost too much so I try to walk when I can.

Slowly but surely, I'm learning Catalan and improving my Spanish. I can say some stuff in Catalan but my vocabulary is very limited. It's like a mix of spanish and french, and since I don't know very much french, it's a bit difficult. I can usually pick up people's conversations and understand what they're saying and I know when they're talking about me. Catalan class is one of my hardest classes, but I just need to keep working on that one.

I already have my departure date set for July 2nd so I'll be back in time for Hungry Mother with the family, which I'm really looking foward to this year. It will be so nice to be away from the city and all the noise for a week, and I'll get to see all the family I missed this year at Thanksgiving, and more! It'll be a fun week and a nice end to my LAST SUMMER OF HIGH SCHOOL. Can you believe that?

So I end this blog post now with a picture of my host sister and I. She claims she looks horrible, but she always say that. This was a fun girls night, filled with Water for Elephants and pizza and obviously, a nice crackling fire!

Barometric headaches SUCK!

Hey y'all! I'm here with another blog update! Not much has changed since my last one so there won't be quite as much to say! I start dance on Monday, so that'll be fun! I'm really excited! It's just a trial class so I still have to see if I like the studio. It's only 54 Euros a month, so I can actually afford it!! Also, the weather has not been my friend. For some reason, I've started getting barometric pressure headaches. Let me tell you, they are NOT fun.

Yesterday, we had a bunch of people over for lunch. No special occasion or anything, but it kind of felt like thanksgiving. 4 of the 8 siblings were over and one of my host brother's brought his family. They have the cutest 4 kids ever. Lucia, Carlitos, Pablito and Ignacio! I couldn't get a good picture of all of them!

Here is one picture from last night. It was music hour with the Rubio kids! Well, some of them!

From left to right, it's Cristina, Carlos, David and Raquel!

Forgot to post this with my last post

But my Skype name is caroline.s432 :)

Okay this is super overdue!

Sorry this has taken so long for all those who like to stay updated! I've had the time of my life these past two weeks in Barcelona. My exchange has been incredible, and it's only just begun! Things were a little rocky at first. Just with the language barrier and getting used to a new home and everything. Who wouldn't be a little uncomfortable with having a completely new life? Just something you have to get used to.

School is great! On my first day, everyone was so welcoming. The students and the teachers are all so nice. They've offered help if I needed and I even have a few close friends! Gemma, Valentina and Laura! Y'all are great and have made the transition SO easy. If I didn't have any friends going in, I don't know what I would have done. On my first day, I was never alone. Actually, most of the time, I'm not alone. Other than the walk to and from school and a couple of classes, I've always got someone at my side. The language thing is gonna take a while to get over, but I'm learning Catalan little by little! It's a process, learning a language. Rome wasn't built in a day, was it?

I never realized how truly amazing having a big family is. On the weekends, it's never quiet. There are 13 grandchildren and there's always at least a couple at the apartment. They're all young so that makes it even more interesting. I have met and can name them all. The oldest is nine but I'm not sure how young the youngest it. I know she's a baby! Rebecca is her name. I also met my host cousins yesterday. I can't name all of them! I have 2 host parents, 8 host siblings, 13 host nieces and nephews, but I wouldn't change a thing. Coming from a smaller family, it's been an experience that I wouldn't change.

Today we went to this little town just outside of Barcelona called Sitges. It reminded me of Vero, only with a bit more life (Sorry Papaw!) it was adorable. There were street vendors, sand castle artists and street preformers. I even tipped one! We passed a candy shop and because of Halloween, my host mom bought me a small bag of candy. She's the sweetest.

I think I love my host mom the most. She is the sweetest, most caring, motherly woman. She doesn't have to go into work until later but she told me that she gets up in the mornings with me before school so I don't have to be alone. I swear I wanted to cry and hug her so much. She just has this presence that you always want to be around. I guess that comes from mothering 8 children! I love her so much and even though she isn't my real mom and won't ever come close, she's a good substitute.

Sitges: (not my photo)

Welcome to Barcelona!

Everything here is so beautiful! My apartment, which isn't too big but not too small, is adorable and my bedroom window overlooks the city street, and it's amazing. I tried eggplant yesterday and almost threw it up, but luckily, my host family didn't see. It's always good to try new things though! The best part of today was when we were on the motor scooter and we had stopped at a crosswalk and a guy just comes out and starts juggling! He was amazing! Everything is just wonderful and I'm so glad I'm finally here.

It's about time!

So it's been the craziest three days of my life! When I got my visa on thursday, I was so excited! Friday I had to drive to Chicago and back, only to leave on saturday morning! On Saturday morning, I left the bluegrass airport at 11:15 and got to Chicago around noon, then I waited like four hours and left for New York at like 4 and got to New York at like 7. Once I left New York around 9, I got to Barcelona at 10:30 AM, which is 4:30 AM my time! I was beat! The worst part was that I couldn't find my family so I roamed the airport for like an hour and finally some guy led me to a police officer where he let me use his phone to call my host dad! If I  never travel again, I'll be fine!

Let me just get out my frustrations here

HEY SPANISH GOVERMENT? Why do you make me so angry?
Okay, that's a bit much but I am NOT a happy camper right now. All the other kids going on an exchange have already gone off on their little adventures and I'm stuck here, up a creek without a paddle. I don't understand why the Spanish government has to be so slow. I was one of the last ones to hear from my host family and I guess I'm one of the last ones to leave. This is just perfect. (Note the sarcasm)

Kind of freaking out

Everything is just so stressful right now In order to pass my junior year, I'm going to have to have six credits from  school next year, but what if I'm not taking six classes? Where am I supposed to get those two extra credits? I really don't want to have to repeat my junior year. Can you say embarrassing? I just worry about that. I'm also freaking out over my visa. I'm supposed to leave in a month and they say it could take up to a month to get the visa. I don't even know if my travel agent has recieved the paper work yet. I'm ready to get my exchange started  and I hope my visa isn't holding me back.

The time has come!

To start packing! Right now I'm just putting in the winter clothes and a few little things but I guess it needed to be done! I'm not sure on how many bags I can take but I'm trying to pack as lightly as I can! I'm only taking a couple weeks worth of clothes for the winter and summer! I sure do hope that's enough! I guess I'll be doing a lot of laundry! I'm sure I'll buy lots of stuff over there, so it's good that I have lots of room!

My first host family!

This is the picture my first host family sent me. My host parents are in the middle and I guess the rest of them are the nieces, nephews and I'm to assume the other older couple are the aunt and uncle. They have eight kids but if I understood their email correctly, six of them are out of the house, one still lives at home and one is going to Canada. Guillermo is his name and he's my age! They all seem super welcoming!

A little late..with everything

So, I was supposed to have my visa stuff turned in like yesterday and I have a feeling I'm more than a little late to the party, because we mailed everything off on Wednesday. I bet my consulate appointment is the day before I leave and I don't end up leaving until like next year. Excuse my dramatics but I have a feeling that my departure date might be a little late, which  I hope doesn't happen. I'm also late with updating my blog. I didn't realize I hadn't updated since then. Oops! Anyways, that's about it for this little entry/rant!

Fingers crossed that I leave early September as planned!

Otterbein 2011

This weekend, oh goodness. This weekend was amazing. I was a little nervous at first just because I didn't know anyone but you can go up to anyone and 'Where are you going?' is the best conversation starter and before you know it, you're instant friends. It made me realized how much I've already matured and how much confidence I've already gained in the time that I applied until now. I would have never approached anyone or initiated a conversation but now, there is no problem. Two days wasn't enough. By the time I started getting to know people, it was time to go. I'll see the others that are going to Spain, which is good, but I'll miss everyone else. Oh well! I guess now I actually have to start getting ready to leave.