More London

I am so bad with keeping this blog about studying abroad... I should totally detail my trip in Madrid now .

Madrid was AMAZING. It was my first trip abroad but to be honest, my future cities has to match the bar Madrid has set. The architecture, the food and the prices were pure bliss. Also had my first Hostel experience which was AMAZING cause I spoiled myself at a nice hostel.

Places I ventured into...
1. Reina Sofia

one of the most amazing museums ever because it houses the most epic Picassos and the most gorgeous Dalis. If there was one museum in which I want to buy, including all collections, it would be this one... however the National Gallery in London comes a close second.

2. Prado

one of the largest museums I have ever been to lives up to its reputation with the most important painting in art history. "Las Meninas" by Velazquez, pure epic in real life compared to online imagery haha. Oh, and Goya's dark period was pure genius.

3. Plaza Mayor

think Trafalgar Square but spanish with cute expensive shops all around. It was built beautifully and I love the street performers. :D

4. Puerta de Sol

Pretty much the center of Madrid where most of the shopping, street performers and cute food shops are located at. I enjoyed the sun there =]

5. Kapital

One of the biggest clubs I've been to in my life, 7 stories tall and only a 15euro entry with two free drinks that wasn't even close to watered down. I LOVED IT. drunk times. =] Plus the pre-gaming was hilarious, 100 spaniard teens drinking at the square and running from the POLICIA. 2liter Sangria<3

6. Palace

Gorgeous, Buckingham Palace aint got SHIT on this.

7. Chueca

the gay part of Madrid, and yes, gay indeed. Went to a gay club with Octavio, Gladys and Jon and it was interesting. Very drunk from house party and it was packed and basically had a good time. Got mistaken for a hooker... its ok... life goes on haha. Interesting night, good drunk night. back at hostel at 630am

People I've met.

- I met Octavio who is Andres' good friend from home. He's been in Madrid since Sept and lives there till august I think... So from there I met his roommates Jon and Gladys and we all went to a house party. It was really nice, very Brooklyn and european at the same time. Free booze so therefore I got super drunk. Met alot of people from California to Chicago to France to Italy. Amazing.

Honestly, Madrid was amazing and I'm hoping to go back in April and hit Barcelona and Ala Cante as well. When the weather gets better I'm going to have a hella nice tan. =]

CHEERS

Pardona, No habla Espanol

This past weekend I went to Madrid to spend a nice weekend away from London. I had one of the most amazing experiences in Madrid because I was instantly attracted and did not want to leave.

Honestly, it wasn't about what I did in Madrid but being in such a different culture and making new friends that actually live in Madrid. I spent a majority of my time with them, most of them are Americans but they have such a european/spanish attitude towards life.

Of course, education is important but having fun is just as great. It seems as though they're living everyday to their fullest and if not, at least towards an advantage. On the other hand, I'm preparing for the rest of my life. I feel like I stress over small things that shouldn't be stressful for someone my age and my standing.

I'm at that point where I enjoy traveling so much and being stuck in these places that I just want to travel around for the rest of my life. My major is great, I enjoy it but I don't think it's what I see myself doing forever. I need excitement and I need a job that allows flexibility... law just isn't.

ESPANA

Spain, Madrid

February 26th 2010 - March 1st 2010

Trip #1

OT: Open Sexuality?

So last night I was talking to Andres about threesomes because Jack and I were debating whether they ruin relationships or not. I believe that they do because I am pretty conservative with sexual relationships, in a sense that I sleep with 1 person at a time and when I'm in a relationship I only sleep with that 1 person. However, Andres brought up a point about being open to talk about sex. He says especially 10 years or so down the line in the relationship, there comes a time when the couple gets tired of having sex with each other.

What he's trying to say is that when the relationship becomes more established and that the trust that is placed between the couple is strong enough, talking about having sex with other people should be ok. In other words, sex and the relationship should be viewed separately.

I disagreed with him completely because when it comes to being in such a committed relationship, especially with 10 years down the road, I am conservative. I don't think that having sex with other people should be even an option. If sex gets to a point where the couple get tired and bored of each other then there is already an issue. Sex has everything to do with intimacy and the relationship as a whole. How can you simply have sex with someone else and expect to come home to your partner as if nothing happened? I mean yes, your lover knows and in a sense approves of sex with other people but physically I would feel different. Also, it damages one's confidence in bed. Am I simply not good enough?

Those are my reasons for why I'm insecure about having open sexual relations 10 years down the line in a relationship. Actually, it is not insecurity because I'm am secure but it's more about not knowing how I would feel about you after you sleep with someone else. I understand the things you do in the relationship and how you show that you love someone but sex is also an expression of that love and the fact that you might need to have sex with someone else eventually in the relationship just damages that expression into tainted empty words.

Been a Month

So this is not good, I haven't been updating haha. I know it has been a month since I last updated but it took time to adjust and get into the groove.

... also done alot since but we'll get to that another time...

So yesterday, we went to an ICE BAR and that is literally a bar made of ICE. Overall, it was an experience and I enjoyed it a lot. It was worth it too, 15quids for entry, the gear and a drink was not too shabby. Today, we celebrated Chinese New Years by heading to Chinatown and checking out the festivities. It was REALLY crowded but I did had a great time and it made me miss home a lot. Spending family time during Chinese New Years means a lot to me so missing out and being so far from home made me wish I was back in NYC. Ended the night with the fireworks was spectacular, had a fantastic weekend.

Even though it has been a month and I do feel better being away from everyone and home, today I do feel really homesick. I'm not too sure why but I believe it is because of the festivities and the anticipation of Madrid this friday. I'm really excited for Madrid this coming weekend because it will my first trip to Spain and my first trip abroad.

Home always seems to be so comfortable because it is somewhere I trust. I love london and everything but the thing is I slowly realizing london is NOT where I want to live. Things here close too early and the culture is opposite to what I'm use to in NYC. I'm not saying that I can't handle unfamiliarity but just London has not been giving me what I want. Maybe Spain or France can?

I miss my bbs back home. It is almost March! that means I'm almost HOMEEE. May7th.

CHEERS

Is it really worth it?

So a week has passed since I've been in London and alot of mishaps happened in between. I've been through alot of emotional, mental and physical destruction in London that I feel like an old war-torn building. Being in such a state I can barely appreciate the beauty of this city, the history and the depth. I want to know London better and learn to love this place but with the anxiety attacks it really shallows my thoughts about London.

I spent two nights crying, once to my boyfriend and once to my mom and sister, all about missing home and how much I want to head back to NYC. It's very miserable and very unlike me because I'm a very independent person who can travel anywhere and be fine. I've traveled alone before and live in a city outside of the states without family or bf. This seems different though, it's definitely a new area of comfort I've never even looked into and has now attacked me face forward.

I joined a gym to try to ease my anxiety and stress. I need to put my mind off being away from home and learn to make London "like home". I'm slowly getting there, meaning that I try to take control of my sleep.

Day by day as classes are coming together, I will love london! I MUST because my backup plan is not pretty =[

Love,

Me.

Day 3 + Day 4, hoping Day 5 is better

So the basic gist of day 3 and 4 is that I didn't sleep because I am very homesick and I might have acute insomnia... this is crazy.

I AM VERY ANGRY with myself. i am homesick and i cant fall asleep because of it. It's been two days and ive gotten a total of maybe 3-5 hrs of sleep. I wish i can sleep again and it's driving me nuts. I'm going to go get some sleep aid and maybe this would help me.

pray to god i can sleep on day 5 =[