happy.

Written while listening to my Sunday Brunch playlist and mapping out the places I plan to visit this weekend.

I'm happy today.  I guess you could consider this a good thing because I am abroad, but like I have mentioned before-not every day abroad is good or happy.  In fact, some days are incredibly frustrating or challenging.  But, just the sheer concept of being abroad provides a whole new dimension to the emotions I experience on a daily basis.  You learn how to be happy and how to get over the frustrations and challenges thrown your way.  Every day is a learning experience.

Today we had our last Cities as Living Museums class at Museo Sorolla, the house of Joaquin Sorolla converted into a private art museum.  I absolutely loved it.  Maybe it was the art, or even the building itself.  But, I have to say one part of it that I loved was how tiny and intimate it was.  The only art displayed in the building is that of Sorolla himself, with beautiful images portraying his family and sights he used to see growing up in Valencia.  The building has been maintained in the way that it was left once Sorolla and his wife died, so you are not only able to see a wide variety of his works but also furniture and even the paintbrushes that he used to create everything.  My favorite part of the museum was the garden courtyard that you enter through in order to get to the house.  Its combination of Spanish, Italian, and English elements gives you the feeling that you are entering a state of heaven, complete with a beautiful fountain and lightly flowing water.  After the visit, our teacher treated us to drinks at a nearby cafe where we talked about our upcoming final assignment.  Tomorrow is our last official class with her, and I am going to miss her passion and enthusiasm for art history very much.

Once we got back from class, I entered the daily struggle of finding something to eat for lunch-or just somewhere to go!  Even though it was quite early, I was hungry so I set out on a search to find a good coffee shop because most restaurants don't serve lunch until 1:30pm or later.  Well, that turned out to be a successful internet search.  I compiled a list of some of the top-ranked coffeeshops and cafes in the area on my computer and decided on a places called Cafe de La Luz.  A little bit of a longer walk from my apartment, it was absolutely incredible.  In fact, had I not looked up the best places to get breakfast-type meals in Madrid I may never have found it because it is on a little side street just past two of the major boulevards in the neighborhood.  When I walked in, I found a little slice of paradise.  The shop wasn't too crowded, which was nice, but what attracted me at first glance was how much it reminded me of an Anthropologie store.  No kidding.  Some of the specials were written on a chalkboard up at the front, and a variety of antique and colorful furniture lined the walls.  No surprise, on my venture to search for the best cake and cappuccino, I got (you guessed it) cake and cappuccino.  Amazing.  Some of the best cake I have ever had, and definitely one of the best cups of coffee that I have ever drank, which I guess you couldn't really consider a milestone because I just started drinking coffee a few weeks ago.  But, still.  A review on Yelp! considered the coffee up there with New York, so maybe one day I'll have to try for myself.  I sat at a little table in the corner in between some brick walls and got a head start on some of the work I have to do this week.  More people started coming in as I finished up what I had to do, so I paid and left before it got too crowded.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to come back before next week and try something beyond my typical palate.

After lunch I decided to "get lost" and take the long way home, ending up on one of the no-car shopping streets.  I even found this adorable little gift shop with inspirational quote items, so I picked up some treats for myself and friends back at home and school.  I wish I knew what the name of it was; apparently it is part of El Corte Ingles but it was a free-standing store on the busy shopping street.  I got home not too long after and relaxed a little bit before my next class at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.  No shocker there, I absolutely loved it.  One building houses a permanent collection of 800 or so pieces of art while the adjacent one houses a long-term temporary collection.  All of the work is privately owned and covers a wide variety of painting styles and time periods-who would have thought that I would come all the way to Europe just to find two paintings by an artist from St. Augustine (just 20 minutes from where I live)!  I found the building itself just as stunning as the collection; the pink walls inside were definitely a nice touch.  After class was over, I decided to again take the long way home and enjoy the warm summer sunshine.  Instead of my normal route, I walked to Mercado de San Miguel for a juice before going through the Plaza Mayor and heading home.

Today was a happy day, but I am even happier about this weekend.  While a weekend free abroad typically equates to traveling to some exotic or interesting place, this weekend I am taking it differently.  Instead of planning, packing, leaving the city, coming back, and unpacking, this weekend I plan to "lay low" like the typical independent college student that I am.  At first, I thought I would get away for the weekend because my roommate is traveling with some of her visiting family.  But, the thought of a nice, quiet weekend in my city just sounds so appealing.  With a single digit number of days left before I head home, I am using this weekend to attack everything on both my Europe and Spain bucket lists.  I am actually looking forward to exploring on my own and really being a local, and I have even pinpointed some places that I would like to go.  Like new coffee shops.  And shopping areas.  And parks.  And markets.  I want to do it all.  Because after Thursday we are officially done with classes!  Even though I'll be squeezing essay writing in between (and maybe during) said activities.  6 days free in Spain.  What could be better?  Absolutely nothing.

Until then, it's back to the books for me before dinner with my roommate and her family tonight!  I know it seems like all I do here is go to museums and markets and coffee shops and eat really good food.  And you're right, only it's better than it looks!

Hasta luego!

Little Lessons and Observations

Over the last 6 weeks I have come to learn so much.  More than I ever thought I would have.  But, sometimes it's the little things you come to learn and treasure the most.  With that, here are some of the "little things" I learned and observed while I was abroad:

• Always pack a carry on bag with the essentials, including 2 days worth of clothes.
• Count on the airline to lose your luggage.
• There is no better feeling than being reunited with said lost luggage.  Hug it upon arrival.
• Book in the following order: flight tickets, accommodations, excursions/museum visits.
• Beat your own path: everyone will throw a thousand recommendations for things you "have to" see.  Pick your own, even if they are among the most popular or crowded.  
• It is your trip after all.
• Same goes for restaurants.
• The Eiffel Tower is not part of France's significant history; read about it before you go

• If you plan to go up said tower, book your tickets in advance.  You'll thank me later.
• For the best experience, go see it at night.
• Bring your own food on planes.
• I highly recommend Pringles.
• Coke Light is NOT the same as Diet Coke, but Coke Zero is similar across the board.
• Don't travel in pajamas unless you are on a long haul flight.  Even then, attempt to look presentable but comfortable.

• It will be weird your first time in an airport not knowing the language.
• You will be just fine.
• There is no better feeling than being able to go out and use said foreign language in public.
• There is a difference between studying and traveling abroad.  There's pluses and minuses to both, so pick the one that works best for you.

• Pay the extra fare to be able to pick your seat on a low-cost carrier, unless you can stand the middle seat.
• Or for the best views, take the train.
• Invest in a portable phone charger.
• Use it daily.
• Get an international phone plan with the most options possible.
• Google Maps will either be your best friend or worst enemy.
• It's okay to get lost.
• French people say "ooh la la," Italian people say "mamma mia" and Spanish people say "ay, dios mio."
• It doesn't sound real the first time you hear it.
• Air conditioning is either minimally used or completely nonexistent.
• Walk into random buildings and churches you see on the street.  You may just walk into a church built by Louis XIV.
• Outdoor markets are the best places to shop and buy groceries.

• The bread is so much better abroad.
• Learn some of the language before leaving for the country.
• Speaking French with a bad accent is 100 percent more accepted than using English.
• Baguettes are a daily necessity.
• The Louvre is the biggest museum in the world.  If you're just going to see the Mona Lisa, you're doing it all wrong.

• If you are there for a week or more, buy a public transit pass.
• Use it religiously.
• Don't talk on said metro.  You'll be clearly marked as a tourist.
• Take solo adventures.
• If you're looking for the best view of the city, climb the Arc de Triomphe.

• It's actually part of France's significant history.
• If you go to Versailles, do the whole thing.  It's worth it.
• The Love Lock Bridge is not a French tradition; in fact, they just took it down.

• If you don't mind being ruined for the rest of your life, eat as many croissants as possible.
• They are not like the ones at Starbucks.
• Paris actually is always a good idea.
• There are rules to drinking cappuccino.

• Learn them, and learn them fast.
• Even if you don't think you'll like it, go to a modern art museum. Even if just for kicks.

• Gelato will always be better than ice cream.

• Eat it every day you are in Italy.
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
• Italian public transit is either on point or completely off the mark.
• There is no in between.
• It is expected highly encouraged that you eat an entire pizza.

• There are no words for the sense of accomplishment you feel once you have for the first time.
• Wear comfortable shoes on the cobblestone streets.
• The Lizzie McGuire Movie concert scene was not filmed in the Colosseum.
• Neither was any part of Gladiator.
• It also has several historical errors.
• For a good history lesson, go to the Roman Forum.

• Cacio e Pepe is a life-changing way to eat pasta.
• When in doubt, speak with a Mario accent.
• Italian bars are much, much better than American ones.  You'll see why.
• Tapas are acceptable at any and all times of the day.

• Eat them often for a delicious sensation.
• Same goes for churros.

• Every country has a food and/or drink that they are known for; don't get these in another country because they won't nearly be as good.
• Lunch in Spain = afternoon meal; Dinner = American bedtime.
• Siesta is the gift that will continuously keep on giving.
• So is the free wifi in restaurants and coffee shops.
• The nightclubs may as well be called "early morning" clubs.
• The best pictures are the ones you take, not the ones with the most instagram likes.

• You won't be able to get souvenirs for everyone you know.
• They either won't care or will forgive you.
• Write down everything you did right after you do it.
• Keep all ticket stubs, metro passes, and photos to make the best memories.
• Take lots of pictures, but save some memories and experiences for yourself.
• But always take pictures of your food.

• Don't invest in a selfie stick. Never. Ever.
• Always take an opportunity when it comes.  Never pass up an experience.
• Find a creative way to document it.
• Find a place you love and explore it all.
• Go to new and different places, too.
• Even before you leave, you can start planning your next trip back.

While just a tiny portion of the many things I learned abroad-and in no particular order either-I hope that you found my random thoughts somewhat entertaining and insightful.  After all, there is a lot to think about when planning a trip abroad! 

Not all who wander are lost [part 3].

Written while eating fruit and speculoos stroopwafel cookies...sorry mom, I only got these for me.

Woke up with a case of the "Mondays" today...but in the best way possible.  Let me explain: last night I got back from Amsterdam around 10:30, completely wide-awake and energized.  I have no clue how that happened.  Like, usually I'm exhausted after traveling.  But, I got back and caught up with my roommate, shared stroopwafel with her, and then proceeded to finish blogging before unpacking.  Then, around 2am I thought it would be a really good idea to make one of those iPhoto picture books with my favorite snapshots from the trip.  And proceeded to work on that for almost an hour before I realized I had to wake up for class in the morning...thus fast forward to my not wanting to get out of bed at 9 this morning.  Don't worry-one coke zero and a granola bar later, all was good.

Today we had both our Cities as Living Museums and Museums and Heritage classes at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Spain's national museum of 20th century art.  The building used to be a hospital and was converted to house modern art post-Picasso.  It's a really cool building, somewhat on the same scale as Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.  Lots of white hallways, glass elevator towers, and plain rooms with art on the walls.  For our morning class we focused primarily on Picasso's Guernica and how it contributed to Spain's history.  It is one of the largest paintings in the world and was commissioned by the Spanish government for the 1937 World Fair in Paris.  Picasso uses a black, white and grey color palate to tell a story of the bombing of Guernica.  This afternoon we looked at a general survey of the permanent and temporary exhibitions in the museum, with an emphasis on how the collection was obtained.  I particularly enjoyed the temporary exhibit on the evolution of news and media through photojournalism and video.

Between class today we had about 5 hours, which no matter what way you look at it, is a long time.  After getting home, I realized that I desperately needed to do laundry especially after a weekend away.  After playing with the European washer (which I still haven't figured out completely), I managed to make it work and decided to go find something for lunch.  As per usual, I decided to walk to Mercado de San Miguel for a glass of sangria and some croquettes.  As a little Monday pick-me-up I also got a palmera de chocolate from the little baker in the corner.  With plenty of time-and good weather-I decided that I would explore the neighborhood a little bit and ended up walking to a completely different area of town than I knew.  Funny what happens when you twist and turn the little back roads.  Eventually after hunting for metro signs, I saw an intersection with signs pointing towards different monuments.  Not knowing any of them, I followed the ones for Mercado de San Anton, another market that I had seen on the internet and planned to visit this weekend.  What I walked into was like no other.  Imagine your typical grocery store on the ground level, then a two story tapas market like San Miguel and a nicer restaurant with a terrace on top.  Can you say heaven on earth?  Having just eaten lunch, I wasn't that hungry so I settled and went with my typical safe bet to the fruit stand for a glass of juice.  Pineapple Coconut.  I was literally in heaven.  Thank goodness for Google Maps because eventually I found my way out and back to the neighborhood I call home.

Next little adventure: grocery shopping.  After not really getting groceries in Paris, and a failed attempt in Italy, I knew there had to be some hope in Spain-after all, I (kind of) know the language!  I opted for the familiar choice and went to El Corte Ingles, aka the one-stop-shop for everything you'd ever need.  There is a huge one not too far from the apartment, and their below ground-level floor is a gourmet grocery store with reasonable prices.  Having just cleaned out my fridge last night, I bought a variety of fresh fruits, some raw veggies (yes, mom!), and pre-made chicken before heading back.  I walked out feeling like I had just accomplished something big-not only did I navigate my way around the store just fine but I was able to do it all on my own from start to end at the self-checkout.  I probably won't need to get food again before leaving next week, but I feel confident and ready should I need to or want to come back someday.  Who knew grocery shopping could be so fun?

As much as I love studying abroad (and I do), we have come to a bittersweet crossroads in the program.  There are a significant amount of days behind us now; much more than we have left, which means that classes are wrapping up and final prep has commenced (after this post).  But, it is also a somewhat happy time because next week I will be able to see my family!  So, with this mindset I have scheduled some fun farewell posts in addition to my daily recaps.  You've heard my little rants about what I do each day and such, but these will be more detailed descriptions about the honest truths about studying abroad, my favorite places, etc.  All lighthearted and happy.

Until then, it's off to work on assignments for me.  Also, if you have any recommendations for fun, atypical things to do in Madrid, please by all means let me know!  My roommate and I are looking for an exciting way to celebrate our "last hurrah" abroad.

Hasta luego!

I amsterdam.

Started while eating a pretzel in the Dusseldorf Airport, continued on the delayed (shocker!) flight to Madrid, and finished on my living room couch.

Wait...it's July 5th already?  That means I have been here for almost 6 weeks now?  And I'm going home...next week?  Hold up, hold up.  While it totally doesn't seem right that time is now winding down way too fast, I do agree that in the last 5 and a half weeks we have done too much to count.  And for me in the last 2 days that is completely true as well.  This weekend I had the opportunity to visit some dear family friends in Holland.  It was something I never thought I would get to do in my life, considering they frequently travel and have lived in 2 different countries (moving to their 3rd this year).  So when the opportunity presented itself to go to Holland for the weekend, it was too hard to pass up and I am sad to already see it over.

I got in to Dusseldorf, Germany on Friday night and was immediately taken to a small town called Arnhem, a small town on the eastern side of the country.  We went out for dinner to a place called The Big Fish, where we got a bunch of different appetizers and drinks: Dutch croquettes, chickenbites, and bread with a bunch of different sauces.  Then after a quick stop at the ice cream shop, I got to meet more of the family who I had only grown to know through the years via my family and social media.  We sat outside in their garden until the sun went down before going to sleep and getting ready for the big Saturday adventure.

Amsterdam.  I can hardly believe that just yesterday I was in Amsterdam.  It is absolutely beautiful-unlike any city I have ever seen before in my life-and 500x better than any pictures that I took there.  We took the early commuter train from Arnhem to Amsterdam, and I was instantly struck by the view walking out of Centraal Station.  The city is known for having several canals and over 200 bridges connecting the city streets.  While some people have cars, the most common mode of transportation is via bicycle or boat-could you think of a better way to see the city?  We got on a tram after arriving and went straight to Anne Frank Huis, a house that has been converted into a museum to preserve the memory of Anne Frank and her family members who perished during the Holocaust.  We waited in line for...wait for it...3 hours before going inside.  And while I am not usually one for long lines or hot sun, I have to say that it was one of the most meaningful experiences that I have had on my entire trip so far.  I read her diary in 7th grade for English class and have always been interested to learn about the Holocaust, so I found the visit worthwhile.  The museum took you through the canal house which contained the warehouse/storeroom, then up the steep stairs to the actual bookcase that was used to hide the annex for 2 years.  The rooms where the family once lived are now empty because the furniture was removed by the Nazis, but throughout the rooms we were able to see actual pages from her notebook and diary, as well as family pictures and old artifacts.

After the museum, it was almost 3pm and we were starving so we headed to the one place that all my friends who visited Amsterdam this year recommended: The Pancake Bakery.  Thanks to my friend Jackie I sort of knew what to expect but what I got was far beyond that.  I learned while I was there that Dutch pancakes are thin, like French crepes, and can be served in savory or sweet form.  I ordered the Dutch Pancake: a think pancake with stroopwafel (traditional Dutch cookie) chunks, cinnamon ice cream, chocolate shavings and whipped cream.  Needless to say it may be one of the most amazing meals I have had in my life.  Yes, in my life.  It was that good.  And because the pancake was very thin, I felt satisfied afterwards and not ill like I did after eating my first (and only) Belgian waffle.  And the view wasn't too bad either.  Instead of sitting inside, we opted to go to an outside table and watch boats on the canal.  Definitely an experience I will never forget.

After lunch we did a boat tour of the different Amsterdam canals.  Or at least a few of them.  What I found most interesting is that Dutch houses on the canals are not straight-in fact, they are mostly crooked and leaning forward.  This is because they used to be packing houses, and poles were once used to carry goods up and down.  Now, the houses look like they were designed in a rather nontraditional way and poles are used to pull furniture up because the staircases are too steep and narrow.  Once the canal tour ended we walked to the Dam area of town because I knew I had to go to the I amsterdam sign.  Typical American tourist, I know.  Being the unlucky soul that I am, only one letter of my monogram is in the sign, so I opted for a cute picture with the letter a.  But, I also liked the tall I and there were less people around the sign so I did a picture with that one too.  Funny how it's not even a real attraction in Amsterdam-just an item on the tourist to-do list-yet it is in an area that has several attractions that get unnoticed, like beautiful buildings and statues.

We went for a drink before walking then through the infamous Red Light District.  For those of you who do not know, prostitution is legal and regulated in Holland.  In fact, there is one area of town (just near the Centraal Station) where all of the ladies sit in windows searching for their next customers.  We walked through closer to dinnertime so there was not much "action," but we did walk by several (and I mean several) typical shops you would expect to see in that area of town...I'll let you figure out those details for yourself.  After walking through the district, we walked back to the train station to buy chocolates for myself and my family...get ready for some tasty treats!  I may or may not have spent all of my money in Amsterdam on chocolates, but we tried some samples in the store and they are simply the best.  So no shame.  We had a quick dinner on the canal afterwards and then headed to Arnhem after a fun day exploring the city.

Today was rather relaxing-we slept in and ate breakfast in the garden before going to the Arnhem shopping area, which was actually bigger than I expected.  We went to the grocery store and bought stroopwafel for myself and my family before walking up and down the stores and going to a Dutch-style fast food restaurant.  Who knew croquettes could be so good on a sandwich!  With a little bit of time left, we went to a local park where there is a market every Sunday.  It actually reminded me of my favorite market at home, with little vendors selling fruits, vegetables, crafts, sweets, etc. and people playing music, walking dogs, and just having picnics in the park.  We bought fresh lemonade and walked around for about a half hour before heading home to pick up my things and drive to the airport.

Now, I am happily back at home and caught up with my roommate.  And yes I have proceeded to avoid unpacking since arriving.  But, it will get done eventually.  While I am sad to see the weekend is over, I am excited because it is our last week of classes and we get to see some more cool museums!  At the same time, though, it means I have to start working on my final papers as well.  I'm hoping they won't be as bad as I expect-after all, we have the questions, we just have to do them now!  I'm also finding some fun activities to do as a way to culminate this amazing study-vacation trip abroad...after all it is summer so you gotta have some fun, right?  There is definitely a lot to look forward to in the coming 10 days, including some blog posts about my favorite parts of the trip and lessons I learned along the way!

Until then, it's off to the inevitable unpacking for me.  Hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend and has another fun summer week ahead.

Hasta luego!

The Real Deal

Written while drinking a coke zero from the mini mart downstairs and wondering why minions are a much bigger thing here than in the states...the movie comes out tomorrow!

Hola amigos, y feliz fin de semana!  It's been a pretty good great two days here in Madrid, and may I say the weather is just sweltering hot beautiful.  We've had the opportunity to visit some great places with class, and I think this is the most interested I have been in the classroom material during this entire program.  We visited the Museo del Prado both yesterday and today; yesterday's visit focused primarily on Velazquez's and Goya's paintings.  While the visit was quite short because Cities as Living Museums is a one hour class each day, it was interesting to see two of the most famous paintings in the museum.  I will be writing my final exam composition comparing their two family portraits, and I am excited to explore their meaning and artistic style more in depth.  We are also allowed to insert opinion, because who doesn't love giving their opinion on pieces of fine art?  Then, we went back today for our Museums and Heritage class; this time looking at how some permanent collections have inspired the temporary exhibits.  Primarily we looked at an exhibit that compared Picasso's paintings to baroque style as well as a former exhibit that integrated natural history artifacts with different paintings in the permanent collection.  Personally I preferred the natural history exhibit because it seemed more relevant, but our teacher bought and gave us books (in Spanish) about each of the exhibits to keep!

Rewind a little bit: this morning we got to visit Palacio Real for our Cities as Living Museums class after having coffee with our professor!  By a chance of fate and some luck, we ran into her at our metro stop and got cappuccinos before exploring the palace.  I had actually visited the palace back in high school, but again it was much more fun and relevant this time because I was there to learn for class.  While the Royal Family no longer lives in the palace, it is used as a headquarters for important state events.  It is open every day to the public except for special occasions.  While we were not able to take pictures inside, my roommate and I had a little bit of fun with my GoPro in the courtyard before attempting to find something to eat after the visit.  If you couldn't tell we're struggling a little bit with the eating culture here.  Typically here in Spain people start the day off with a light breakfast at home or in a coffee shop for an hour before going to work.  Before afternoon siesta (my favorite part of the day by far), people eat a large lunch before pausing everything to rest.  Most offices and businesses close during this time-even my gym closes for siesta and lunch-which I wish was something that we did back in the states.  Then, once everybody goes back to work they do not eat again until tapas/dinner around 8 or 10pm.  All of the cities that we have lived in are different in their eating culture, so it has been a little hard adjusting so frequently.  Today after our visit to Palacio Real we were so hungry (having only had coffee and no substance) that we broke Spanish tradition and got lunch at noon!  We went to our favorite neighborhood place-La Rollerie-where we munched on croquettes as an appetizer and I was able to get A SALAD for lunch.  Probably the best caesar salad that I have ever had.  Seriously so good; complete with sesame coated chicken.  After topping it off with a slice of red velvet cake, we headed home for our nice, long siesta.

After class at the Prado I was able to go to my gym for a little bit before we decided to go get something for dinner.  Also-you may have noticed that we have been doing a lot of eating out, and there is a good reason.  Our kitchen is very tiny, and our fridge miniscule.  But, we are lucky in that there are plenty of good value places to eat near our apartment.  We also share a lot of food, as it is not custom to get your own meal but rather get a few things for the table.  We decided to go to Cervecita 100 Montaditos, which is a chain of Spanish bars that are known for having 100 types of mini-sandwiches.  We opted for a few different types of sandwiches and tapas, which may have actually been the cheapest meal we have had this entire trip.  While it is a bar we have at school (it's much, much better here) and popular among students, we thought the food was just ok.  But, we have some more time to explore and try new places-after all, we are in the busiest part of town!

I'm in a particularly good mood because classes are over for the week, and I am heading to Amsterdam tomorrow!  My flight is not until later in the afternoon, so it will be nice to sleep in and catch up on some much needed rest before heading out.  Everybody I know who visited Amsterdam during their semesters abroad said it was one of their favorite weekend trips, and I am very excited to see it for myself.  It's a bit weird though because it's my last free weekend and the last weekend before classes end next week!  Time is really flying by now...no worries though, we still have a lot to do before it all ends...did someone say finals?  Okay, I'm only kidding...a little bit...we don't have finals but rather a few final papers.

Until then, it's off to attempt to start packing for my trip (aka putting it off until tomorrow morning) and keep up with my personal French lessons (yes, I have decided to teach myself French because I figured why not?).  More to come about Amsterdam later this weekend or early next week!

Hasta luego!

Coffee Thoughts: The Beauty of the Unknown

Whether we like it or not, a major part of our lives consists of creating and following through with daily routines and rituals: when we wake up in the morning, how we like our coffee, what modes of transportation we take, and how we spend our free time.  Just as quickly as we develop these routines, they quickly become a part of ourselves and we all recognize that same dread when all of a sudden they have to change.

I recognize this trend all too well.  At school my days are filled with activity-I go to class, attend weekly meetings and participate in my extracurriculars.  It is predictable and comfortable, and I am happy to know what I am doing, what is coming and what I can expect.  I get stressed when something happens out of the blue or I have to make changes to the familiar.  Given this mindset, I never expected to be so happy in changing my daily routine while studying abroad.

Being in a multi-city program has provided me with the opportunity to live three different lives across three different cultures, but more than ever it has taught me the importance of being flexible in doing so.  Two weeks in a city gives you just enough time to dip your toes in and experience something new before moving on to the next.  It's beautifully overwhelming and unpredictable, forcing you to face the unfamiliar head-on and embrace challenges as they arise.  After five weeks in the program, I am no longer afraid of saying good-bye or having to move on and adapt to something new.  I have left behind scheduling every hour of each day in my planner and come to embrace this previously unfamiliar lifestyle of constantly changing my routine and enjoying time to myself.  Had I not done so, I may not have developed an appreciation of some of my favorite monuments in Paris, discovered new places to visit in Rome or enjoyed a spontaneous cappuccino and slice of cake at the café on our street here in Madrid.  I never thought that I would fall so in love with living this different, unpredictable life.

Studying abroad has taught me that every day is an adventure, and there is always something new to be found if you look for it-it has just taken more flexibility and open-mindedness than I am used to having.  As I finish my cappuccino here at La Rollerie, I smile knowing that these are the things I will remember and bring back when I return to the States in two weeks.  Until then, I cannot wait to keep exploring and creating my story.