Hola blogworld,
Not much is new in Madrid but I though I would update anyways!
This week has been pretty average. I am completely in the swing of things and the newness of living in Spain is beginning to fade a little. School makes the days seem extremely long and by the time I get out at 7pm I am so tired! I try to stay out as long as possible and take in as much Madrid as I can.
Monday after school I went to the Plaza de Espana, which is an open air market. There were about ten of us and we only stayed for an hour or so. I did not make any purchases, except for my favorite honey roasted almonds! Tuesday after class I went to my favorite tapa restaurant with Bridget and Christina and then we walked to El Corte Ingles which is the BIGGEST chain store in Madrid. I bought 2liter bottles of water for .30Euros and bread to make peanut butter sandwiches. The supermercado was amesome. We walked up and down the aisles in amazement, like little girls in a candy store. Today after school I went to my other favorite chain restaurant called Cafe y Te. They have the BEST food and drinks! Tonight I had a chocolate coffee and a baby baguette with queso.
Also, I still meet up with a few girls at Starbucks every morning before school. It is a great way to start my day.
The weather is still unbearably hot. When I am outside walking it feels pretty nice, but in my un-air conditioned living space, it is not so nice! I strip all of the covers off my bed each night and cover myself with cold washcloths and then attempt to sleep. Some nights are better than others! But I cant complain because each day begins and ends with a perfectly sunny, blue sky and I am in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
I am having a great time! This weekend I will be taking a bus to Barcelona with 5 other girls. We are going to arrive at 7am Saturday morning, site see ALL DAY, check into our hotel around 3, head right to the beach and stay there until we are too tired to function. On Sunday we will board the bus at 1pm and end in Madrid by 9pm. I am so excited to see Barcelona and even more I am excited to put my feet in the Mediterranean Sea.
The things that I am getting to experience here are once in a lifetime and I feel so blessed to have gotten the chance to be here. As much as I love it in Madrid, it is not home. I miss everything about home and I really miss Michael. I should be able to start talking to him in about 11 days and I could not be more excited.
I am doing very well and I am looking forward to all of the other things I will get to do my last 3 weeks in Spain.
Hope everyone is having a good summer!
Ill update after Barcelona!
Besos y Abrazos,
Jess
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
End of week 2!
Hola<3
I cannot believe it is the end of my second week here. I have adjusted extremely well and now my trip is beginning to fly! One reason is because I am SO BUSY and another is because Spaniards have a very relaxed idea of time. They like to enjoy their days and not worry so much about timeliness. This is a difficult concept for such a control freak of a person as me! but I am getting the hang of it !
I had a really awesome week. Wednesday our group went to the Palacio Real in between classes which was really beautiful. It was a ten minute walk from school. This palace is to Spain what the White House is to the US. No royal people live there but all important meetings and gatherings take place there.
Thursday was a national holiday called Corpus Christi. The entire country was shut down and we didn't have class! But we did go on 2 field trips. We went to El Escorial and Valle de los Caidos. El Valle de los Caidos was one of the most amazing sites. It has the largest cross in the world and a Basilica that goes two football fields deep into the mountain. This "Valley of the Fallen" was built after the Spanish Civil War by the Republicans who were put in prison by the dictator Franco. Many died in the process and it was a controversial situation. Franco is buried in the Basilica.
On Saturday we went to Segovia. It was beautiful and the aqueducts were so neat to see. We spent 8 hours touring the city. The most beautiful site was the Castle. This is the castle that inspired Walt Disney's vision of his castle. We climbed 158 stairs to the top and had just an amazing view. Field trips are tons of fun, but in the 105 degree weather we get very tired, very quickly!
Today(Sunday) I spent the day with my friends at the pool. The average temperature has been around 102 everyday and the sun is relentless. So a day by the pool is ideal!
My host Mom is still wonderful. She is a great cook and makes me feel very welcome and at home. Every night after dinner we talk for at least 30 minutes which is not only good for learning Spanish vocabulary but it also lets me know that she cares.
I am still having such a wonderful time and I really feel at home here. Some things that I miss the most are my church, my family, my friends, my puppies, cheese coneys, skittles, and MICHAEL.
I have not spoken to Michael since my first day here. I am missing him more than words can even express. Not being able to talk with him has made things difficult, but with the support of my friends and family I am doing okay. I am looking forward to receiving that first email from him in about 14 days!(I'm not counting or anything ;) )
I have not gotten very homesick since I have been here. Skype is the greatest invention of all time and being able to talk to my Mom and Dad every night has kept me sane. I am healthy as can be and very happy to be in Spain. I have about 28 more days here and I am going to soak up as much Spain as possible!
Thank you for all of the emails, prayers, and messages! I am doing very well and I look forward to seeing everyone in one month!
Love,
Jess
ps enjoy the pics!
The cathedral in Segovia. Built by the Moors.
Aqueducts in Segovia. Built by the Romans.
The Valley of the Fallen. Built by the Republicans.
Castle in Segovia.
El Escorial (I took this pic!!)
Gardens in Segovia.
I cannot believe it is the end of my second week here. I have adjusted extremely well and now my trip is beginning to fly! One reason is because I am SO BUSY and another is because Spaniards have a very relaxed idea of time. They like to enjoy their days and not worry so much about timeliness. This is a difficult concept for such a control freak of a person as me! but I am getting the hang of it !
I had a really awesome week. Wednesday our group went to the Palacio Real in between classes which was really beautiful. It was a ten minute walk from school. This palace is to Spain what the White House is to the US. No royal people live there but all important meetings and gatherings take place there.
Thursday was a national holiday called Corpus Christi. The entire country was shut down and we didn't have class! But we did go on 2 field trips. We went to El Escorial and Valle de los Caidos. El Valle de los Caidos was one of the most amazing sites. It has the largest cross in the world and a Basilica that goes two football fields deep into the mountain. This "Valley of the Fallen" was built after the Spanish Civil War by the Republicans who were put in prison by the dictator Franco. Many died in the process and it was a controversial situation. Franco is buried in the Basilica.
On Saturday we went to Segovia. It was beautiful and the aqueducts were so neat to see. We spent 8 hours touring the city. The most beautiful site was the Castle. This is the castle that inspired Walt Disney's vision of his castle. We climbed 158 stairs to the top and had just an amazing view. Field trips are tons of fun, but in the 105 degree weather we get very tired, very quickly!
Today(Sunday) I spent the day with my friends at the pool. The average temperature has been around 102 everyday and the sun is relentless. So a day by the pool is ideal!
My host Mom is still wonderful. She is a great cook and makes me feel very welcome and at home. Every night after dinner we talk for at least 30 minutes which is not only good for learning Spanish vocabulary but it also lets me know that she cares.
I am still having such a wonderful time and I really feel at home here. Some things that I miss the most are my church, my family, my friends, my puppies, cheese coneys, skittles, and MICHAEL.
I have not spoken to Michael since my first day here. I am missing him more than words can even express. Not being able to talk with him has made things difficult, but with the support of my friends and family I am doing okay. I am looking forward to receiving that first email from him in about 14 days!(I'm not counting or anything ;) )
I have not gotten very homesick since I have been here. Skype is the greatest invention of all time and being able to talk to my Mom and Dad every night has kept me sane. I am healthy as can be and very happy to be in Spain. I have about 28 more days here and I am going to soak up as much Spain as possible!
Thank you for all of the emails, prayers, and messages! I am doing very well and I look forward to seeing everyone in one month!
Love,
Jess
ps enjoy the pics!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I am having such a great time. Tomorrow we will visit The Valley of the Fallen and El Escorial. I will post pics and update more on what I've been up to very soon!
Love and miss you all!
Jessica
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The end of my first week
Hello!
I cannot believe I have been here a whole week. I would say it went fast, but it really didn't! School makes the days seem so long!
This Saturday we went to Toledo as a group. I have never seen such a beautiful place in my whole life. It is one of the oldest cities in Spain and has some of the most historic and gorgeous buildings in Europe. There were so many breath taking moments while in Toledo. The Cathedral is so big and every aspect is so detailed. The streets are very narrow and have such character to them.
My closest friends and I partook in some serious shopping! They had the greatest souvenirs. Toledo is known for their swords, so you can probably guess what I bought for my dad.. We just had such a great day.
I got back to my house around 6 and Skyped my mom then took a serious siesta. I had dinner at 1030 and after my roommates and I decided we would go out for the night, since it was their last night in Spain. We went to Sevilla and found a live band playing in the plaza, it was so fun. We then headed to Sol and it was very crowded but still fun. There is a spot in Sol that marks the exact center point of Spain, I was so excited to be there! We had a really fun night and my roommates were so great, I was sad that they had to leave!
When I got home I felt pretty homesick. I am especially missing Michael. He would love it here, so I guess I will have to bring him back here for our honeymoon!
I am still having such a great time. I love everything about Madrid and I look forward to all of the other things I will get to do here!
Today is a day for relaxing. I am heading to my friends house which has a POOL and then I will come back to my place to do some homework and Skype my family. I really don't like that I am missing fathers day but that's why Skype is the greatest invention of all time.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Miss you all!
Ill write again soon :)
Love,
Jess
I cannot believe I have been here a whole week. I would say it went fast, but it really didn't! School makes the days seem so long!
This Saturday we went to Toledo as a group. I have never seen such a beautiful place in my whole life. It is one of the oldest cities in Spain and has some of the most historic and gorgeous buildings in Europe. There were so many breath taking moments while in Toledo. The Cathedral is so big and every aspect is so detailed. The streets are very narrow and have such character to them.
My closest friends and I partook in some serious shopping! They had the greatest souvenirs. Toledo is known for their swords, so you can probably guess what I bought for my dad.. We just had such a great day.
I got back to my house around 6 and Skyped my mom then took a serious siesta. I had dinner at 1030 and after my roommates and I decided we would go out for the night, since it was their last night in Spain. We went to Sevilla and found a live band playing in the plaza, it was so fun. We then headed to Sol and it was very crowded but still fun. There is a spot in Sol that marks the exact center point of Spain, I was so excited to be there! We had a really fun night and my roommates were so great, I was sad that they had to leave!
When I got home I felt pretty homesick. I am especially missing Michael. He would love it here, so I guess I will have to bring him back here for our honeymoon!
I am still having such a great time. I love everything about Madrid and I look forward to all of the other things I will get to do here!
Today is a day for relaxing. I am heading to my friends house which has a POOL and then I will come back to my place to do some homework and Skype my family. I really don't like that I am missing fathers day but that's why Skype is the greatest invention of all time.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Miss you all!
Ill write again soon :)
Love,
Jess
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Quick Update!
Hola!
Just a quick update of what I've been up to in Spain!
Each day I get up around 9 and get ready for school. I meet a few of my close friends at Starbucks every morning for an hour or so then we run errands and walk to school. At 1:00 I take a Spain Today class with students from UC and my professor from UC. At 3:00 I take a conversation class and at 5:00 a grammar class with the professors from Don Quixote. The classes are not too difficult but sometimes it is hard speaking only Spanish, but it is a good way to learn. The people at school are SO nice and really want you to learn the language.
Ive been drinking ALOT of coffee, its great!! The food is so delicious as well. My host Mom is an amazing cook and feeds me huge portions!
I eat breakfast at my house, usually toast, cereal, or muffins with orange juice. Then for lunch I either get tapas or grab something close to school. For dinner I have been eating a wide variety of things. I eat lots of bread, potatoes, fresh vegetables, good meat, and lots of amazing fruit. It is taking me awhile to adjust to eating dinner at 10:00 pm, but I'm sure I will get used to it eventually!
I have been very tired. My brain works so hard during the day, learning a new language 24/7 is exhausting!! Also I think the time difference is still taking a toll on me.
I have been walking ALOT, I probably average 3-5 miles a day! Its great exercise so I can eat as many tapas and drink as much cafe con leche as I want :)
The Metro (subway) system here is so great! It is very efficient and easy. I'm very glad that I don't have to be on the road because the drivers here are so crazy!
Overall I am having a wonderful experience so far! I miss my friends and family at home very very much but I know I will get to see them soon and I am having the experience of a lifetime.
I have been able to Skype my Mom and Dad every night which has been so great. They are so supportive and they have really helped me in the process of achieving my goals.
Michael is in Washington State for a training with the ARMY and I am no longer able to talk to him. It has been pretty difficult for me but we both know that the programs we are doing this summer will better both of our careers and when we get back to Cincinnati it will officially be time to start planning our WEDDING!!!
Thanks everyone for the emails and messages! It helps tremendously! Ill be in Toledo this weekend so I will probably post another update Sunday afternoon!
Hope everyone is having a great summer so far!!
Love and miss you all!!!!
Jessica
Just a quick update of what I've been up to in Spain!
Each day I get up around 9 and get ready for school. I meet a few of my close friends at Starbucks every morning for an hour or so then we run errands and walk to school. At 1:00 I take a Spain Today class with students from UC and my professor from UC. At 3:00 I take a conversation class and at 5:00 a grammar class with the professors from Don Quixote. The classes are not too difficult but sometimes it is hard speaking only Spanish, but it is a good way to learn. The people at school are SO nice and really want you to learn the language.
Ive been drinking ALOT of coffee, its great!! The food is so delicious as well. My host Mom is an amazing cook and feeds me huge portions!
I eat breakfast at my house, usually toast, cereal, or muffins with orange juice. Then for lunch I either get tapas or grab something close to school. For dinner I have been eating a wide variety of things. I eat lots of bread, potatoes, fresh vegetables, good meat, and lots of amazing fruit. It is taking me awhile to adjust to eating dinner at 10:00 pm, but I'm sure I will get used to it eventually!
I have been very tired. My brain works so hard during the day, learning a new language 24/7 is exhausting!! Also I think the time difference is still taking a toll on me.
I have been walking ALOT, I probably average 3-5 miles a day! Its great exercise so I can eat as many tapas and drink as much cafe con leche as I want :)
The Metro (subway) system here is so great! It is very efficient and easy. I'm very glad that I don't have to be on the road because the drivers here are so crazy!
Overall I am having a wonderful experience so far! I miss my friends and family at home very very much but I know I will get to see them soon and I am having the experience of a lifetime.
I have been able to Skype my Mom and Dad every night which has been so great. They are so supportive and they have really helped me in the process of achieving my goals.
Michael is in Washington State for a training with the ARMY and I am no longer able to talk to him. It has been pretty difficult for me but we both know that the programs we are doing this summer will better both of our careers and when we get back to Cincinnati it will officially be time to start planning our WEDDING!!!
Thanks everyone for the emails and messages! It helps tremendously! Ill be in Toledo this weekend so I will probably post another update Sunday afternoon!
Hope everyone is having a great summer so far!!
Love and miss you all!!!!
Jessica
Monday, June 13, 2011
Days 1 and 2
Hola!
I am in Madrid!
Just an update on the past few days :)
I had great flights to Chicago and to Madrid. I was unable to sleep on either flight so by the time I arrived in Madrid I was very tired and unfortunately it was 7:30 am so I had a long day ahead of me. I was taken by van to my host family. My host mother is a 53 year old woman who cares for her 86 year old mother. I was told I would have a student from another university staying with me but that's not the case. I am the only student here. At first I was pretty sad that I would be alone with my host family, but I think it will work out just fine. I have a very large room with a balcony and internet! The apt. is located in Old Madrid and it's very close to 3 main subway ("metro") stations. My trip to school takes about 25 minutes. I walk to the Metro Lista and ride the subway for about 15 minutes and then I walk to my school (Don Quixote) from there.
My first day consisted of a placement exam, which went very well, and then a walking tour around the city, not for tourist purposes but more to become familiar with the city. Then I went out for some tapas and a coke with some friends and returned to Don Quixote for class. I have class from 1:00-7:00 pm everyday. (Somehow I was placed with a few other students in the afternoon classes. ) I then headed home for dinner and some homework. I was also able to talk to my Michael :) and skype with my Mama. I am missing my family and Michael very much, but I know these 6 weeks will fly and I'm going to do everything in my power to soak it all up. I was also able to skype Grandma and Grandpa (and Alex). Its so nice to hear from people at home.
Also, The food here is wonderful, my host mom can cook!
I was worried that I would not be able to communicate well with the Spanish speakers but I am doing just fine! It is actually a lot of fun being able to talk to them and have them actually understand me! It makes everything worth while.
The culture shock was not too bad. I am adjusting to the 6 hour time difference pretty well and everyone here has been very nice.
while typing this, two girls from Baltimore came in and are staying here for a week! I had no idea they were coming and I am so glad they did!!
So far I would say Madrid will be an awesome experience and my knowledge of Spanish will grow MUCHO! And the people I am here with from UC and other schools are so great!
Thank you everyone for the prayers and emails. You have no idea how much it means to be. I am blessed to have so many wonderful and loving people in my life.
I will be updating every few days with photos and info!!
Have a great night!
Much love,
Jessica <3
I am in Madrid!
Just an update on the past few days :)
I had great flights to Chicago and to Madrid. I was unable to sleep on either flight so by the time I arrived in Madrid I was very tired and unfortunately it was 7:30 am so I had a long day ahead of me. I was taken by van to my host family. My host mother is a 53 year old woman who cares for her 86 year old mother. I was told I would have a student from another university staying with me but that's not the case. I am the only student here. At first I was pretty sad that I would be alone with my host family, but I think it will work out just fine. I have a very large room with a balcony and internet! The apt. is located in Old Madrid and it's very close to 3 main subway ("metro") stations. My trip to school takes about 25 minutes. I walk to the Metro Lista and ride the subway for about 15 minutes and then I walk to my school (Don Quixote) from there.
My first day consisted of a placement exam, which went very well, and then a walking tour around the city, not for tourist purposes but more to become familiar with the city. Then I went out for some tapas and a coke with some friends and returned to Don Quixote for class. I have class from 1:00-7:00 pm everyday. (Somehow I was placed with a few other students in the afternoon classes. ) I then headed home for dinner and some homework. I was also able to talk to my Michael :) and skype with my Mama. I am missing my family and Michael very much, but I know these 6 weeks will fly and I'm going to do everything in my power to soak it all up. I was also able to skype Grandma and Grandpa (and Alex). Its so nice to hear from people at home.
Also, The food here is wonderful, my host mom can cook!
I was worried that I would not be able to communicate well with the Spanish speakers but I am doing just fine! It is actually a lot of fun being able to talk to them and have them actually understand me! It makes everything worth while.
The culture shock was not too bad. I am adjusting to the 6 hour time difference pretty well and everyone here has been very nice.
while typing this, two girls from Baltimore came in and are staying here for a week! I had no idea they were coming and I am so glad they did!!
So far I would say Madrid will be an awesome experience and my knowledge of Spanish will grow MUCHO! And the people I am here with from UC and other schools are so great!
Thank you everyone for the prayers and emails. You have no idea how much it means to be. I am blessed to have so many wonderful and loving people in my life.
I will be updating every few days with photos and info!!
Have a great night!
Much love,
Jessica <3
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Its almost here!
In 40 hours I will be on route to Spain!
This week I had exams and continued working my many jobs, but all of that has come to an end and I will be spending the last few days with my family and wonderful fiancé. I am getting really excited but also very nervous!
My goal is to update every few days. I am not a great writer/blogger, but I think this will be a good way for me to keep in touch with others and to use this as a journal.
I will land in Madrid at 7:30am (12:30 am Cincinnati) on Sunday and have that day to get familiar with my host family and the city. I start at 8am Monday with classes and such. I will be in class M-F from 9-3 and take trips around Spain each weekend. I will most likely get a phone there but the best way to reach me would be by email at shackelford_j@yahoo.com or skype me at jessicashackelford .
It would mean so much to me to receive emails to stay in touch with Americans :)
Like I said, I am not a blog expert but I'd love to stay in touch and give updates on my trip.
Take care everyone!
Jess
This week I had exams and continued working my many jobs, but all of that has come to an end and I will be spending the last few days with my family and wonderful fiancé. I am getting really excited but also very nervous!
My goal is to update every few days. I am not a great writer/blogger, but I think this will be a good way for me to keep in touch with others and to use this as a journal.
I will land in Madrid at 7:30am (12:30 am Cincinnati) on Sunday and have that day to get familiar with my host family and the city. I start at 8am Monday with classes and such. I will be in class M-F from 9-3 and take trips around Spain each weekend. I will most likely get a phone there but the best way to reach me would be by email at shackelford_j@yahoo.com or skype me at jessicashackelford .
It would mean so much to me to receive emails to stay in touch with Americans :)
Like I said, I am not a blog expert but I'd love to stay in touch and give updates on my trip.
Take care everyone!
Jess
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