En resumen...

Now that I have been home for over a month and a half, created a new blog and most importantly started a new job, I feel like the transition period has ended and it's sadly time to say adios, or rather, hasta luego, to "An Offshore Account..."

Towards the end of my stay in Spain my friends and I talked a lot about the past year, what we've learned, what we'll miss, and what the future has in store for us after this. The last night we were all together we did something kind of high school- we made superlatives- I ended up with "Most likely to be successful" and "Most likely to be on 'The Real Housewives of New York'"...thoughts?? Even though I have been home for a little while now it's really hard for me to "draw a conclusion" from this past year. So far it's hard to just sum it up in one all encompassing sentence.

It is one of the scariest, most fascinating and "amazing" things for me to look back on things I have done and picture my reaction if I had told myself before they happened, that they were going to happen the way they did- I would have said, no way. Particular things that stand out- in my life- playing at Nationals for my soccer team in high school, getting in early to Vanderbilt, moving to Spain to teach English for 9 months, sleeping in a desert oasis in the Sahara, and starting my career in New York at Lord Abbett.

You never know where your job will take you, what new person you will meet, what friends you will get closer to and the ones that will drift away. So it's great to plan and be organzied and have goals and dreams, but there is nothing like looking back and seeing how things actually played out.

My year in Spain was exciting, challenging, stimulating, and revitalizing, and many times annoying, depressing, lonely and frustrating. Despite the rough patches, I am so happy that I took the risk I did. If anything, I think it gave me an interesting story to tell in my interviews this past month and a half and maybe even helped to secure my current position. So while I cannot give a quick concise reflection of what this year has really meant to me ,here are a few very important pieces of advice that I have to offer based on my experiences from this past year:

Take a risk and do it with confidence. Do something outside of your comfort zone, something you know will be a challenge. Once you tackle one small hurdle, life's biggest problems and challenges won’t seem as big and scary anymore and you will feel so proud of yourself looking back on the experience. And when you do this, smile, be confident, its the hottest look around.

Have patience. Being impatient is just going to make you frustrated and unpleasant to be around. When the going gets tough just say as the Spanish say, “no pasa nada.” There is no need to rush through life. Another train always comes.

Aprovecha. Maybe you are young, maybe you are old, either way take advantage of the opportunities around you. Don’t be complacent and lazy. We live in a world with so many opportunities to learn and grow and not taking advantage of them and having an interesting story to tell is going to make you a really boring guest at a cocktail party.

Love yourself. No matter how supportive your family, friends and significant other are, you are ultimately the only person that will always be there for yourself. Let people into your life, but make sure that you can always make yourself the happiest. So do things that make you feel good and positive about who you are- find passions and activities that get your adrenaline pumping and discover your purpose in life.

You can learn from everyone. There is not one person in this world that can't teach you something, whether it's from your professor or parent who is supposed to teach you, or your 5yr old student who you are supposed to be teaching, or a homeless person who seemingly has no education at all. Listen to everyone and take note of everything you hear.

Thank you to all the friends and family who have supported me while I was in Spain this past year. It has meant so much to have your encouragement and I hope you have enjoyed reading about my experiences and will continue to seek out your own offshore adventures. I invite you to continue to follow my life in New York on Apple Juice.

Besos,

Schu

Spain vs. Germany

Today is the BIG GAME. Spain vs. Germany. Semifinals. 2:30pm. Who are you rooting for? The last encounter between these two countries was the Euro 2008 final. Spain won 1-0 can they do it again? CREO QUE SI!

The San Francisco of Europe

Although I have never been to San Francisco, and can therefore not give an opinion on the matter myself, I just read this article from the Travel section of CNN comparing Lisbon to San Francisco. Everyone knows my obsession with this city and this article gives a nice description of the history and where to go and what to do while there. VIVA LISBOA!

Left: Me at the Sao Jorge castle in Lisbon

Inspirational Quote #22

"I'm a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn from each other, and how they can achieve the kinds of freedoms that they're interested in" - Bill Gates.

Pen Pals

I received such a nice email today from a woman I used to tutor in Málaga. She asked me how my adjustment to New York was going, what the weather is like (always a popular question), if I have found a new job yet and if I have any exciting trips coming up. She ended the email by saying that she is so nervous she will not be able to find another English tutor as good as me come September.

It was so nice to hear from her and that I was able to help her so much with English. I am excited to stay in touch with the people that I spent an entire year getting to know and working with. Many people know this about me, but I rarely lose touch with someone. This past year when I was in Spain I had 6 dinners with Mercedes (the woman I lived with while studying in Madrid) and met up with several other friends that I had met two years before during my studies. Thanks to technology and the various ways we can communicate (email, skype, bbm, facebook, blog etc) you can stay in touch with everyone you meet! It is great for when you want to go back and visit a city or for when someone wants to come visit you! Some friends have told me they feel "strange" or "awkward" reaching out to someone they haven't spoken in a while but from my experience people are always very happy and excited to reconnect.

Apple Juice

I'm happy to announce the launch of my new blog "Apple Juice!" I will continue to write here for a bit longer, until I really feel like the transition from Spain to home is over, but start reading "Apple Juice" in the meantime! If you have any suggestions or tips on how I can improve it please let me know.

Spain, the economy and me

So there may be hope for Spain, the economy and me. This article talks about how BBVA and Santander might be two of Europe's healthiest banks after the EU publishes the results of "stress tests" in the upcoming weeks. I was excited to see this news especially since I am hoping to get an interview with BBVA next week!!

Inspirational Quote #21

"There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again" - Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

Leave it in Europe

Last night I had dinner with my cousin Alegra and her friend Gioia. I've always gotten along great with Alegra, she is very euro, Turkish father, grew up in London, loves to travel and appreciates everything european just like me. It had been about 6 years so we had a lot to catch up on, so why not have the big reunion at the mecca for europeans in New York: Ciprianis. I had been to the upstairs part of the downtown location a few times, but never for a "bite" to eat. It was obviously very expensive, but the food was great and the people watching even better. My big problem with going to euro venues like this in New York is that it's just not the same as the real thing...like yeah it's fun to be around cultured, older, wealthy suitors, hear different languages and people watch like crazy, but the european scene in New York is just so... eurotrash. I just can't take a lot of the people here seriously.

For example, I walked by the Nikki Beach in midtown Thursday night and accosted the bouncer. I was like, I LOVE NIKKI BEACH YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. But honestly how could this location even compare to the other ones when there is no beach! You can't create the same ambience without the sun, sand and sea. There is just something about bringing the great things about Europe to New York that just doesn't work for me. Maybe I will change my mind as I start to go to new places, but right now my feeling is, if I'm going to have a euro night, I wanna do it in Europe.

That being said, I'm very excited to hang out with Alegra, who is an international fashion consultant, and knows all the good people and spots in NYC, before she goes to Europe for the whole summer. Ugh, authentic euro life. Those were the days.

There's no place like home

I've been home a full week. I guess you could say I've been on a serious high because the second that plane landed at JFK I haven't been able to stop smiling and telling everyone how happy I am. The amount of energy and passion for life I've been feeling this past week is unmeasurable, barely describable and hopefully repeatable. Coming back to an apartment filled with delicious homemade food, a brand new big bed, hot water and no Chinese roommates has just been heavenly.

In typical Schu fashion, I didn't waste any time seeing friends or getting my life setup. I met with a headhunter Thursday morning, less than 24 hours after arriving home, bags still completely packed, jetlag in full effect, and ended up getting a job offer from this particular headhunter to work for her! WOW! It was so exciting and just added to the enormous amount of confidence and passion for life I have right now I couldn't have planned it better myself. Friday night was "schUSA" aka "Party in the schUSA", aka my welcome home party, hosted by CB. It was such a blast. All of my friends came, one of whom surprised me with an adorable t-shirt with a giant picture of my face on the front, and "party in the schUSA on the back." I knew I was excited to see all of my friends, but I really can't describe what it felt like after months "alone" to have so many people around me who know me so well and who were excited to see me. It made me so excited to be back in a familiar, comfortable setting, but also to turn over a new leaf here as a young professional (hopefully).

It hasn't really been long enough for me to process the past 9 months and feel nostalgic and really reflect on my time there, but I have definitely noticed some major differences and ways I have been affected by this past year:

1. I am SO patient. Literally when something goes wrong, the people around me are freaking out, screaming at each other, sweating, turning red, and I am totally calm. No pasa nada.
2. I've forgotten how to take the subway. Why can't I swipe the metro card right the first time?
3. Barnes & Nobles and Duane Reade are dreamy places that I walk around in for hours because I can't believe the AC capabilities along with the plethora of things they sell.
4. I can relate to people I met in Malaga who have visited New York and talk about it as, "the center of the world."
5. Grand Central is the meeting place for all good looking, corporate people in the tri-state area. Serious eye candy.
6. I look forward to leaving and entering my building every day so I can hang out with my doorman and speak Spanish.
7. New York is SO EXPENSIVE. Like I kind of am starting to miss the chino store where I was able to furnish my bedroom, kitchen and bathroom for 5euro.
8. New York is SO OVERCROWDED. Last Saturday night every bar on the LES had a 30 person line to get in and NO AC!

So all in all it's been a pretty seamless transition. I've had a few interviews already, and started my Portuguese classes and joined the gym. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my friends and seeing my family next week for Father's Day. Also, after much encouragement from friends and family, I've decided to continue "blogging," but please never refer to me as a "blogger," it sounds really lame. "An Offshore Account" will eventually retire, and I will start a new blog about my life in New York. You can expect a similar writing style and posts, such as restaurant reviews and quotes, but slightly racier content...

Rock in Rio Madrid

This past weekend was the Rock in Rio concert in Madrid. Rock in Rio is a series of festivals held in Brazil and later in Portugal and Spain. I haven't been to Brazil yet, but Portugal and Spain are my two favorite countries (excluding USA), and I love a good rock concert, so this is pretty much the best possible idea for a concert.

I have a few friends who went this past weekend and they said it was so much fun. Rihanna was apparently a total knock out, sporting a fiery red bowl cut and a cone bra. Other big stars who performed were: Bon Jovi, Miley Cyrus, Shakira, Tiesto, John Mayer, David Guetta and Metallica. I think the next one will be held in 2012, anyone down to come with?

Things I'm currently enjoying...

in the homeland:

1. One word: Bagels
2. $20 manicure/pedicure at Nails & More
3. Air conditioning...EVERYWHERE
4. Tap water at restaurants
5. High speed wireless internet
6. Swiping a metrocard

more to come... along with profound, thoughtful reflections and conclusions...

It's my goodbye and I'll cry if I want to

Its been a rough few days, yesterday in particular. Monday was my last day of work and I said goodbye to the rest of my students. Our goodbye was similar to our "hello" when we first met. In 3rd, 4th and 5th level they all asked for my John Hancock- "FIRMAME!!" I wrote them each a little note saying how much I enjoyed teaching them and good luck in the future, but all they were concerned with was my signature. So whether they still think I am BFF with Hannah Montana or that one day I will actually be famous myself, it was a sweet way to end the year.

Yesterday we had our goodbye lunch with the teachers. We ate at an outdoor restaurant in Torre del Mar called, "Las Americas." We had a typical Spanish lunch, plates of olives followed by shrimp, clams and anchivoes to start and then a massive pan of paella. I managed to have a pitcher of beer and some after meal shots which might have contributed to my emotional breakdown when it actually came time to say goodbye. The teachers gave the other auxiliar and I each a card that had been signed by all the teachers in the school and a beautiful wooden, hand painted fan. So Spanish. Love it. They taught me how to open it like a proper Andaluz. Super sexy. Can't wait to show it off at home.

After 3.5hrs, it was time to say goodbye. We all stood up and I just started balling. I didn't realize how much I would miss the teachers I worked with this year. We have become so close and I will miss seeing their smiling faces every day and sharing stories. I was pretty embarrassed, I couldn't even form sentences because I was choking back the tears. I think it just all of a sudden felt so real that I would be leaving the next day. Which is now today. My room is packed, my suitcases are extremely overweight and my flight gets in at 4pm to JFK. I had planned to write a really thoughtful conclusion and reflection on this year, but I have been so busy and nervous and anxious the past few days that I haven't thought of anything profound to say. See you in the states...

Above: Me in 3rd grade

Above: Me and Choni, the Music and English teacher, at lunch

Above: Me and Elo, the third grade Science and English teacher, at lunch

Above: the whole group

Above: traditional paella lunch

Above: My demise ?

I´m on a boat!

For my last weekend here we decided to aprovecha the warm, beautiful, perfect weather and do some exploring around the Costa del Sol. And to fulfill our final goal: get on a boat.

Friday we spent the day in Torremolinos at a restaruant/bar/beach club called Cafe del Sol. It was a great day and much more affordbale than a day in Marbella, only €4 for a lounge chair, versus €100 at Nikki Beach, but the crowd was OUT OF CONTROL. I´m talking The Jersey Shore (TV show) moved to the Costa del Sol. Leathery, tattooed, topless, fake breasted mothers frolicing around with their sons. CREEPY. The people watching was ridiculous, not sure if I would like a repeat in the near future though.

Saturday we woke up early and went to Benalmadena. We explored the boardwalk which was filled with restaurants, shops and sunburnt UK citizens. At night we went to Plaza de Sol y Mar, also known as 24hr square and were bombarded by bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Sunday we accomplished the ultimate goal we´ve had while living on the Costa del Sol and took a boat ride around the Mediterranean. While our inital dream had been an invitation by some Euro bachelors on their massive yacht, we paid €10 each for a 2hr ride on a Dolphin Cruise and it wasn´t too shabby. Although we didn´t actually see any dolphins, there was free sangria, fishing, swimming and breathtaking views of the coast.
Above: I´m. On. A. Boat! Above: LC, Alina, Me, and Chrissy at the Puerto Marina in Benalmadena
Above: Chrissy and I jump in the water and hold on to the buoys for dear life.
Above: Chrissy and I bid the boat farwell
Above: Stranded in the Mediterranean Sea. Not too bad.

Inspirational Quote #20

"Don´t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive" - Howard Thurman

Mercado Atarazanas

The renovated Mercado Atarazanas opened about a month ago, and it's conveniently located right across the street from my flat. It's a historic landmark and had been under construction since we arrived in September. There are rows and rows of fruit and vegetable stands on the right hand side, fish stands in the middle and meat stands on the left. They also have nut, olive, bread and pastry stands. Everything is extremely fresh and well priced. As you can see from the first picture below there is a giant stained glass window in the back of the market- not your average supermarket! Today I bought 5 apples, 5 pears and a cucumber for a total of just 3euro. I'm going to miss grocery shopping here!

Limbo Love

At some point in the night we always whip out a game of limbo. It became a common recurrence after Spring Break 2009 in Florida. Many times there is not a traditional "stick" available so we improvise with other props. Here are some of my favorite limbo moments from my travels this year:

Above: Benalmadena, Spain. Plastic alligator.

Above: Marbella, Spain. Towel.

Above: Lagos, Portugal. Pashmina.
Above: Madrid, Spain. Pashmina.
Above: Lisbon, Portugal. Pearl necklace.
Above: Malaga, Spain. Arms.
Above: Cadiz, Spain. My costume.

Finding Faith

This week has been an emotional roller coaster for a lot of reasons. But what I have been thinking about the most is my friend Kyle and trying to grasp where he is now. I feel very lucky and fortunate that I have yet to experience the death of someone close to me in my life. My great grandmother died when I was around 12 years old and she was in her 90s and although I was very sad, she had lived a long full life and I knew that this was "normal." I´ve known parents of friends, and grandparents of friends, and friends of friends who have passed away, but Kyle is the first person, the first friend, someone my age, I´ve known to die. It´s been very hard for me to conceptualize where he is right now. I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school in New York until 5th grade. I receieved my First Holy Communion, Confession and Confirmation. Even though I wouldn´t consider myself very religious I pray almost every night and when I can´t sleep I recite my "Hail Marys" and "Our Fathers" in my head. I´ve always believed in heaven and that is where you go when you die. Heaven looks down on Earth. Everyone wears white robes with gold belts, kind of like the ancient Greeks. They walk on clouds and it is always daylight. There are beautiful waterfalls, rivers, flowers and butterflies and someone is playing the harp. Our deceased family members and friends can float down to Earth and whisper into our ears when we need help.

Now that I am actually experiencing what it is like to lose someone, especially someone who was so young, with so much ahead of him, someone I used to see every day and didn´t think much of it, I have so many questions. Death isn´t something that my friends and I talk about every day like we do relationships, food, working out and travel plans. You hear about people dying all the time, but it sounds so far away and isolated and factual- Kyle Craig died at 1am May 22nd. It sounds so...abstract...

Kyle´s funeral is today. Will his ghost be there, sitting next to his family, watching them remember him and honor his short life? Will he try to call out and touch them like Patrick Swayze in "Ghost?" Has his spirit been born into someone else´s body? Does everyone end up in the same "heaven" regardless of race, age, and beliefs?

While I am feeling extremely lost and pensive about what death means and if there is life after death, I am certain that everything happens for a reason. Many times it is not obvious right away, but I know that it is true. Eventually, weeks, months, years later you cope, not to forget the past, but to understand and see how events fit into some greater plan in life. No matter how devastating, tragic and upsetting these events were, everything has a purpose. You can spend all day asking why this happened, why Kyle, why now, and I have the same questions, but I don´t think you or I will get the exact answers to those questions we´re seeking. I want to spend my time remembering Kyle and honoring his life, and to find faith so that I can truly believe and understand where he is right now. For now I´d like to think that Kyle is somewhere where he can do the things he loved on Earth, play music, sports, surf, and swim. That heaven is different for every person, it´s your favorite place and things about Earth, but every day. I hope he knows we will never forget him, and I hope to continue to be reminded of him every day.

Alamos 38

Alamos 38 is my new fav spot in Malaga. It´s a restaurant and bar, but I´ve only been to have drinks. The ambience is so cool- so NOT Malaga. When you walk in there is a bar area to the left and if you just continue straight there are antique couches and chairs set up in a courtyard type square, giving it a "lounge" feel. There are plants and vines covering the walls and columns which gives it a very relaxing feel, like you´re in a garden. It is trendy, but not pretentious. Other apsects that I enjoy are the private rooms and dual function as an art gallery. Behind the "garden" area there is an open room with dinner tables. Behind this room there are other private rooms with more dinner tables and a really exotic feel. The drinks are well priced and they give you great bar nuts and candy with your order. Every time I´ve been they´ve surprised us with free shots at the end of our stay! Last time was a rum shot that looked and tasted like a ice cream sundae.
Above: The "garden" courtyard room near the entrance
Above: Carmen sitting on a couch in the entrance

Pleasantville

We are back to Pleasantville weather on the Costa del Sol and boy is it about time. There is nothing like seeing 80degrees and sunny (no cloud picture) on weather.com for my last week here. Really time to hit the beach and work on that tan!

"Viva Alex"

I just had the most touching surprise party ever. I´ve never had a surprise party before, but I think if I had, this would have topped it. Mari Carmen told me to come a little late to class today because the 5th graders were preparing something special for me. I had planned to go to the supermarket in the morning anyway to buy them some candy for the last class so I showed up around 9:20am. I knocked on the door and then slowly opened it to see if they were ready for me. The entire entrance way to the classroom was covered in all different colored balloons. They all screamed, "surprise!" when I walked in. On the white board they had written, "we will miss you" and "viva alex" and ""we love you." They read me a poem in English that they wrote together. Although it does not translate the same into English, it's so cute and I want to frame it in my room at home.

After, the girls, who were the ones in charge of this whole surprise, told me there were 4 presents hidden all around the room and they would give me clues to help find it. The first present was, "under a bag." I discovered it all wrapped up in smiley face wrapping paper- a pair of sungalsses! The next present was, "in an umbrella." Low and behold a bracelet with matching earrings and a ring!! Soo cute! The 3rd present was "on the shelf"- a pink scarf. The 4th present was "next to the computer"- a WATCH! I was so touched and was not expecting anything like this. It was so over the top! They said they wanted to give me some "recuerdos," to make sure I wouldn't forget them.

After my treasure hunt, I said some words about how I will miss them and that I hope they will continue to study English and they can email me with any questions (that might have been a mistake.) I wrote my email address on the board and they all copied it onto their arms. We had a short English lesson and then I spent the next 20minutes after our class writing a note and signing my name on a balloon for them (for each student), but also on to paper, beause they said the balloon wouldn´t last forever. At the end they gave me some of the pin wheels they had made for Martin Luther King Jr. Day that say, "USA," "peace," and "protest" on them. The whole thing was such a sweet, touching and thoughtful thing to do and I will never forget it, or them.
Above: The girls reading me the poem they wrote about me
Below: The poem

Packing

Packing, or unpacking, which is worse? I think unpacking is probably worse because you always end up with more things than you started with so you have to make new room in your closet, at the same time you can´t seem to find that one sweater or necklace or special face cream, but you´re convinced you didn´t leave it behind, and on top of it all you have to do a huge load of laundry. Right now packing is seeming worse though... I don´t want to leave it to the last minute, but taking down all of the pictures and postcards in my room would make this whole process seem way to real as well as super lonely this last week without familiar faces all around me. Even though there are only 7 days left somehow I think I need to keep all ten pairs of shoes out just in case I want to wear all of them. I have 2 huge suitcases on wheels, a smaller suitcase on wheels and a large carry-on. I´m hoping to be able to consolidate everything into the 2 large bags on wheels to avoid an aggressive charge for a 3rd bag, but with all of the new shoes and dresses I´ve bought recently, that might be impossible...

Inspirational Quote #19

"The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson" - Tom Bodett

RIP MKC

I was hit with devastating news from home this past Saturday. A good friend of mine from Vanderbilt, Kyle Craig, who was two years younger, passed away.

I know it's true, that it actually happened, but it's just hard to process since it was so unexpected...The Kyle that I knew was a true "surfer dude." He said things like "yea man," "totally," wore Hollister and backwards hats, and always had a smile on his face. He played in a band and loved theme parties. I met him two years ago when he was a freshman and I was a junior. My guy friends introduced him to me as "the man," a kid "we have to get" for the pledge class, the #1 rush.

The first time Kyle came to the Adelicia last year was with a bunch of our friends for our first pool party. The pool was on the 7th floor of our building, and standing in the pool, looking up all you could see was the clear blue sky. It seemed like the highest point in Nashville. He told me it was literally the happiest he had ever been- that it was "heaven" and he never wanted to leave. After that he coined my roommates and I, "The Adelicia Angels." He would text me during the day "Schu, can I come over to heaven today" or towards the Spring time, "when are we kicking off the season in heaven?" The picture above is from that very first day at our pool, Kyle is smiling in his sunglasses, with a fluorescent bathing suit in the middle.

He was down to earth, fun loving, compassionate and had a lot going for him. It has been hard to grasp what has happened, especially being far away, removed from the situation and unable to talk to my other friends in person. I'll miss you Kyle, I don't know when this will actually start to feel real. May you rest in peace.

"Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven" - Tryon Edwards

Las Chinas

Somehow, I haven't really talked about "las chinas." "Las chinas" would be referring to the two Chinese girls that have been living in my flat for the past 2 months. I would say their names but the fact is my other roommates and I don't know them because they only introduced themselves once and we couldn't decipher anything, so they are "las chinas." They share a room (the big one the gay Italian guy used to live in) and never talk to the rest of us besides an occasional "hola." They never change out of their pajamas, or leave the flat besides to go to school.

When they first arrived they put a portable hot plate/stove in the kitchen. Why they didn't want to use the stove we already have I'm not sure. About a month ago I came into the kitchen and they hadn't cleaned up after themselves. There were raw vegetables and meat on the counter as well as tons of dirty plates. Sometimes I don't have a chance to wash my dishes so I leave them in the sink to do the next day, but leaving out RAW FOOD is a BIG NO NO in this piso. I knocked on their door and there was a long pause and then I came in and told them that if they don't clean up after themselves "las cucarachas van a venir." Their guy friend (who is also always in their room) followed me back to the kitchen and cleaned up their mess. The next day I woke up and there were maybe 9 full garbage bags on the kitchen floor... TAKE IT OUTSIDE!

Anyway I feel like Mr. G from Summer Heights High because after this event I started putting up signs all over the kitchen like, "POR FAVOR TIRA LA BASURA" to remind them to clean up after themselves. As Mr. G says, "We have to work together, but I'm not going to live in your filth." After this sign went up they no longer even cook in the kitchen. They moved the hot plate into their room and cook in there! EW!!

Nikki Beach Marbella: A Way of Life

Nikki Beach Marbella gets its own post because it is just that special. We had a very long day there on Saturday...about 7 hours...Started off with delicious caesar salads outside and yummy cocktails- their special is a mojito which is fabulous, but I also recommend asking for a strawberry Pina Colada- to die for. We hung out on the beach for a bit and then made some friends. My one complaint was that the "fashion show" the staff was telling us about all day was actually a DRAG SHOW and temporarily ruined the mood. It was a group of unattractive/plastic/old women and transvestites strutting around trying to sing "Vogue" by Madonna. SO strange. We started a massive limbo line after which I think was much more entertaining for Nikki Beach clients.

Above: Chrissy, Maria, Alina and Me at the bar

Above: Me, Chrissy, Alina and Maria on a bed

Above: The "fashion" show

Below: A much better show

Marbella List

This past weekend we took a trip to Marbella/Puerto Banus. Here is what I would recommend to do there:

Coral Beach Aparthotel: inexpensive, spacious apartments for rent

Nikki Beach: Located in the Hotel Don Carlos, awesome daytime spot

Picasso Restaurant: located right in the port, great casual Italian dinner (picture to the right is us outside)

La Suite: club located in the Hotel Puerto Romano

Seven: club with Buddha theme

Walk around Puerto Banus

Viva La Feria

Feria, the big famous one being in Sevilla that I went to, takes place in different towns in Andalucía at different times in the Spring (except for Malaga's feria which is in August). How does a store that is devoted to one holiday/time of year stay open? Do they make enough money during this time of year that they can afford to stay open all year long?? Do people buy clothes and accessories for feria in the off season? Is this store actually not open all year, but just opened recently and that's why I noticed it?? I need to know how this works.

Keeping up with Spanish

I´m already anticipating the anxiety and upset I will feel when I return to New York and am no longer constantly surrounded by Spanish language and culture. To counteract a mid-summer depression where I realize I have forogotten everything I´ve learned this past year, I have found some great ways that I can keep practicing and improving.

BBC:BBC has a great language website where you can practice listening, speaking, reading and writing. They have games, articles and TV shows (including, "Mi Vida Loca" and "Sueños") which seem like a great way to review. They also have this service for other languages: French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian etc.

Queen Sofia Spanish Institute: I plan on becoming a member of the Spanish Institue in New York when I get home. This will help me to create a network of Spanish speaking friends as well as the opportunity to attend Spanish cultural events. They also provide classes and a tutoring service.

My Doormen. All of my doormen are from Cuba, Puerto Rico and the DR and I need to aprovecha and practice my speaking and listening with them. Bored at home? Go downstairs and talk to them for an hour.

Restaurants. One of the things I have written into my daily planner for the day after I get home is "make friends at mex. rest." There is a great Mexican and Spanish restaurant a few blocks away from me and I´m going to just walk right up to them and ask them if they´d like to do an intercambio with me or wouldn´t mind if I hung out until I find a job. Hopefully they will be flattered and not weirded out. Ha, I´m desperate.

Non-profit organization. I want to get involved with a specific non-profit/community service organization that is Spanish oriented. I´d like to be a mentor or English tutor for Spanish children or do any kind of community building. If anyone knows of a Spanish/Hispanic oriented service organization please let me know!

Las pesadillas han empezado...

I´m already having nightmares about my return to New York. Great. It´s not unusual for me to have them before I go through a big transition period, but I still have two weeks left here why do they have to start now?! Sometimes they aren´t exactly nightmares, but just the weirdest most jumbled thoughts of ALL TIME.

In the most recent "nightmare," I was invited to a Christmas party by a middle school friend in Morocco. Before this I was going for a run in Sag Harbor and bumped into a friend from Spain and stopped running to talk to her about life. I arrived early to the party because my mom had to drop me off in our car. I thought the party was going to be for him and his parents but the "kids" party was separate. I volunteered to help him set up, which I thought was considerate but not something he would agree to, I still needed to get ready, but he said yes and handed me a huge piece of blue paper to cover the interior of the garage. I pretended to walk towards the garage, but went into the bathroom to do my makeup. Then our whole group of friends arrived. The group consisted of many middle/high school friends and a ton of people I have met in Spain. One of my best guy friends showed up with his girlfriend, but I ended up sitting on his lap and making out with him the whole time. Girlfriend was MIA. I was drunk and uncomfortable and ended the night at my Grandma´s house. Analyze THAT.