Vale, venga!

Yay Spain!!!!
(I wonder if I'll ever be able to start a blog post without something along those lines...)

So here I am! Sittin in my room, sweating up a storm, every window open in this dang apartment trying to catch any semblance of a breeze.  So far I've been unsuccessful.  Game plan: rearrange my desk to sit directly in front of my window.

I've been having some lovely lovely times here!  The fair was incredible (yay!) but now it's over (boo!).  That was honestly an awesome way to start this trip!  Instead of feeling cooped up in our own town, we were gifted with a 15 day celebration of Murcia!  Now I'm ready to go explore other places :)
Here are a few photos of my lovely fair days. I will miss the days where people of all ages go out at night to the same place and go nuts!

Pastel de carne... mmmmmm

So many good memories!! Anyways, now I start real classes on Monday! The academic setup at the university level is way different then the U.S., making it extremely tough to find what classes I want/which are available/when are they.  Students over here pick a major before they start freshman year, and from then on they have a fixed schedule all four years.  They have a handful of classes that they choose from, but the rest are neatly organized and fit together perfectly.  Then I come along and mess everything up, trying to pick courses from different majors and such.  It's a little confusing but I'm teaming up with my friend Emily to pick out some classes we could possibly enjoy together. Teamwork!!

Here's some photos of my house! I would post a photo of my room but I think I'll save my mother the heart attack.  BREAKING NEWS: Lauren's Room Is Messy.
But really, isn't my flat the cutest! Flat translates to "piso" in Spanish. Vocab lesson for the day is complete!

This is my kitchen!

The living room!

and the lovely terrace!

I'll rip the band-aid off early by saying I declined attending a bull fight last night.  I honestly didn't know til this week that they actually kill the bull!  Right in front you. Multiple. Bulls.  No thank you.  I came close to being upset at the parade, when I saw the horses forced to perform meaningless tricks that I'm sure they don't appreciate doing.  All in all, the bull fight isn't worth it for me.  I'll get just as much of the Spanish experience shoving my face with new sorts of tapas at the bar next door to the stadium!

What else is new... plans for trips are buzzing in the air.  Next weekend a couple friends and I want to go to Granada.  Seriously, everybody and their mom (literally, Lexi's mother) LOVES Granada and says it's the best. I'm more than willing to find out.  Bring it!

Love you all and miss you!!!!


---Here are some photos that accompany last week's post

At Maria's with deeeeelicious paella!

La Manga

Murcia!

The cathedral (big meeting spot for my friends and I)

I swear the ice cream is better here.

Where to begin!

I'm in Spain!
I have an awesome flat!
I'm taking classes at the University of Murcia!
It feels like I eat tapas for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
I go out like typical Spanish youth does!
I walk EVERYWHERE!

To sum up: I'm having an EXCELLENT TIME!

AND the days keep on getting better.

Phase one: arriving at Murcia
The train here was a piece of cake. Once we got to the train station Maria's brother picked us up and we headed to their house, where we had an amazing meal prepared by Maria Jose (Maria's mom).  It was so yummy, I wished I never had to leave that table! Promptly after eating, Maria proposed that we head to the beach for a few days, since my program didn't start til that Friday. 3 hours later we were on a bus to La Manga, which is a skinny strip of land separating el Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Ocean. One side had water that resembled a lagoon (mar menor), and the other has much more waves and is a little chillier. IT WAS AWESOME. Plus we hung out with Maria's friends and their family which was such a fun way to practice my Spanish... you know, out of the classroom kinda stuff.

Then we came back Thursday night, and I won't worry you with the fiasco/tornado turned Spanish woman that is my landlady.  She was crabby. I did not enjoy her.

Phase two: exchange program begins
Friday was orientation, followed by a bunch of us ISEP students hanging out together and getting to know one another.  Since then we've been roaming around the city in various packs, trying not to stand out too much.  I was realizing one of the biggest wishes I have for this coming semester: I wish to walk around Murcia and go completely unnoticed.  To blend in with the university students would be SO COOL.  Since Murcia is a relatively small place, I've found that it's easy to spot someone who doesn't belong.  It doesn't help that half the time my friends and I are absorbed in a map of some kind, but we're working on it.  To accomplish this goal I just need to A. speak Spanish like true Murcianos; B. know my way around town without stopping and contemplating from time to time and C. dress up on a daily basis and stop wearing flip flops.  I CAN DO IT!

Right now the only class I'm taking is a two-week course designed to brush up on concepts and get us international students prepared to speak mucho espanol.  It starts at 4 which is incredible for my sleeping habits :)

Phase three: living situation
Initial feelings-ugh
Current feelings- YAY YAY YAY YAY!
NEW FLAT! IT'S AWESOME!! I'm excited to wake up and not find new bug bites, and to shower in hot water for more than 3 minutes! I live with Annalisa, and she's such a sweetheart. I'll post photos of the place very soon!!

Miss you all!! :)

ESPAÑA

I'm here! In the hotel! This place is awesome!

Holy moly, pretty sure it JUST set in how amazing all this is. Let's start at the beginning.

6 am: BING-I'm awake and ready to go.  Our flight to Seattle was peachy, and we arrived at SeaTac ready for the 9 hour flight ahead of us.  Skipping ahead a few hours, and we're boarding the plane to Paris!  I was so so nervous, but it ended up way easier than I imagined.  Throughout the entire flight I watched only2 episodes of sex and the city as well as Brigette Jones' Diary... and it still felt way less than 9 hours.  Kayte and my dad sat together next to the window, and I was on the aisle seat nearest them.  On the plane I had the delight of sitting next to an older French gentleman by the name of Bernard (French pronunciation of course).  We ended up chatting a good chunk of time, and he told me of his study abroad adventure in the United States.  He was really excited for my trip and kept telling me how much fun I was going to have... just what I needed as I anxiously soared over Canada, Greenland and the Atlantic Ocean.  It was great.
Paris to Madrid was my least favorite flight, although it was only 1 hour and 40 minutes.  By then I was super tired (I had rested on the previously flight, never actually falling asleep though) and really antsy. BUT WE MADE IT!! WE'RE HERE!!

My dad, Kayte and I went out with Lindsay last night and had the perfect Spanish bar hopping experience.  We went to 4 places total, making sure to sample beverage at each location.  It was really, really fun and I'm extremely happy to think I'll be pro at bar hopping someday soon!

We're off to breakfast now, I'll write more soon!
Love you!

3D!

I leave for Spain, my incredible new home, in 3 DAYS! 3D! Only not sucky!

So let's see: I said bye and left Spokane, hung out in Seattle/Hood Canal for a few days, and now I'm home for a brief moment until my Transatlantic flight ships me off to awesometown.  On Sunday we had a family going away party for Tyler and myself.  Here are some photos my Grammy took.

So cute! I'll miss my Grammy! I wish you could come with me and we could go absolutely bananas taking all the coolest photos at all the gorgeous places! You'll be moved in when I get back (fingers crossed) and I'm excited for that!

Anyways, 3D! I just learned how to say cool: guay! Oh shoot I can't wait to say that for reals.  I'd better continue the never ending process of last minute packing.  Yeesh.  I love you and miss you all!

10 days

I write to you on this incredibly hot summer afternoon in Spokane.  My stomach feels like a mangled, anxious mess and my palms are an unusual amount of sweaty.  This is my last day at my house--last day with my roommates.  See you February, my loves!

Getting down to it, I really can't wait to leave.  I've waited this long and now it's finally happening!  The scenario is entirely unreal, but boy do I love it.

Photos from late July/August coming soon.

Countdown? Is that lame?

Holy crap! I leave in a month and some change!

Insanity. I can’t believe I’m this far! Plans are materializing… things are actually happening towards this adventure of a lifetime. I can’t explain how excited I am. I’M SO EXCITED! Wait no, that doesn’t explain it well enough. I’m excited, nervous, elated, anxious, stoked, freaked-out, antsy, pumped, totally ready, not ready at all, hyperventilation-y and a little shaky.

Anyways, this summer has been spectacular. Dang, it’s been a sweet summer: seeing friends from home, settling into my new house, making TASTY dinners with my friends, spontaneous trips to Seattle/surprise visits from Brent, family time and everything in between. It’s been so great, truly.

So today I met with Angie to discuss all things Spain. She studied there last semester and was extremely helpful, answering all my questions and providing heaps of Spain/Europe wisdom! Also, Angie went to RHS so we know she’s a winner. Her enthusiasm was so beneficial to my anxious nerves. Angie gushing, “you’re going to have the best time!” really helps me to see past my fears and embrace this amazing opportunity entirely!

I’ve got an incredible summer lined up, too. The chances of it flying by so quickly are very likely, so my plan is to enjoy every second! Boat races are this weekend! aka Denslow Family Bonanza! Brent and I are hopping back up to Spokane on Saturday for his old housemate’s wedding, but obviously we’ll be back Sunday for the big show :)


Enjoy the remainder of your July everyone!

Let's chat and catch up a bit

So! Summer is great!  I've starting working, enjoyed lazy days, went to Sasquatch music festival, witnessed my little brother graduate and spent time with my family. Excellent!

After school was out and all of our friends departed, Amber and I were left to chill and find things to do in the fine city of Spokane.  I began work, as did she, and pretty much we sat around Wes' house (where we temporarily stayed since we lacked a home) and cooked bacon.  Dandy :)

Then I bid my lovely companion in mischief to attend Sasquatch music festival, aka music heaven.  3 days of incredible concerts and friendship.  Holy moly, after the last show I was so sad!  I definitely wasn't ready to go back to the real world where one's routine for the day doesn't include 12 hours of music euphoria and jumping around in a massive crowd of people. Let me just tell you, IT WAS AWESOME.

Then it was time to go home, recover from dehydration and 4 nights of sleep deprivation.  That Friday was my brother's graduation.  He's all growed up!  I must say, I'm very proud of him but it is quite odd to think in one months time he will be at basic training for the Air Force.  He's a stud and I'm so lucky to have him as my caring little bro. 

I don't have a ton of photos from that weekend, but here are two good ones. I had so much fun with my family this weekend!  Ty's grad party will go down in McClelland history, for sure!

In a house near Whitworth campus, an empty room patiently awaits it's new tenant. (that's me!!)  That's right! My roommates are already there, and tomorrow I'll drive up to my own house for the very first time!! :)  Can't wait!

Spain preparations: things are getting going definitely.  Last night my mom and I set up an appointment with the Spanish Consulate in San Fransisco to go get my student visa, which is really a big step I hope to get right on the first try!  As we speak/type I am selecting housing (again) since the choices I requested last time were no longer available.  Hopefully this time I'll get an apartment!

I'll blog more this month, promise.  This past week was absolutely nuts, which I loved, but once I'm settled in my casa I'll certainly be able to update all of you more frequently/consistently.