so this is life.

hello hello. I hope you are all doing well. I think I am finally settling into my trip. Its interesting meeting so many people here and weird the coincidences that occur. For example, I met a Canadian in Nice, France that showed up in my room at the hostel in Barcelona the other day, really quite weird. This is also the first place I have been where I´ve met other Americans, and man there have been loads! A group came form the Semester at Sea and I met some people from Bucknell who know someone I played soccer with in highschool. really, the occurences are uncanny.

Spain, well Barcelona, is great! As every place I´ve been, there has been something different to enjoy. Not speaking spanish has been difficult, but even more difficult because everyone here speaks a different dialect (so-to-speak)--Catilunya. So I have absolutely no idea what is going on and they really don´t speak english either. Therefore, I´ve stuck to cooking stuff in the kitchen. ha but I´ve managed to visit most of the major sites, being here longer than I have in any other city. I have a new respect (well, I didn´t know of him before..) but Antoni Gaudi has such a creative mind and all his architectural works here are just astounding!! I love it. Probably my favorite part about Barcelona is Parc Guell, which was designed by Gaudi. It overlooks the city and its just beautiful. I planned on going again but the weather didn´t really encourage walking around a park.

One of my favorite parts about being in Barcelona is the brilliant English girls I´ve met: Amber, Jordan, & Kat. I´ve been spending loads of time with them and its truly fantastic. They are"hippies," as some would say, but thats what I love about them! They have a bit different view on life and its really exciting and refreshing to be around! whoo! I will miss them once I leave.

as for life, its qutie interesting. traveling the world and being a bum is quite the change from being in school and working all the time. this being on holiday all the time thing, weird. Nonetheless, I still miss the good people. All you wonderful people in my life who I don´t get to see or talk to anymore :/ To be honest, I´ve spent time on facebook just looking through the photos. Its nice to see your beautiful faces again. I did meet someone who reminds me exactly of a friend, and it was enjoyable to spend time with him because it was like having my friend here with me. :)

I´ve notably come to the conclusion ages ago that I will not meet my European lover, and I´m not sure I want to anymore. lol. Europeans, though dreamy, just have a different lifestyle. Mainly, I read Twilight before I left and have such a high standard for men now that I´ve read about Edward Cullen that it will be difficult for me. haha. seriously though, I think of it a bit too often but the French and Spanish men are just so forward and kind of disappoint me (in the fact that too many of them are looking for the wrong thing--though I have met American men here who are just the same.) Just another one of those times where I am disappointed by the men of the world. Maybe its because I need a man who is not worldly. Speaking of which, my day was totally made by my dear friend, Hunter. For CU Singers, they are singing a song called Fare Thee Well, Love. He sent me the song and not only is it beautiful, but it speaks to my heart. Its a nice feeling. :)

Monday I leave Barcelona, and I will be in Paris for a day and London for a day before heading to Glasgow to visit an old friend who studied at Clemson, Scott. I am quite looking forward to spending time with him and his family, and also seeing fellow Clemson student, Keith, who is studying in Glasgow this semester. !! It should be quite an enjoyable week.

so mostly, i am living an interesting life. I am missing things like American milk and the beautiful and wonderfully amazing people in my life, but I am trying to take advantage of every opportunity that offers itself to me here. Therefore, I will not be saddened by the things I miss now, for I know I will only be in Europe a short time longer and will soon be missing the things of my travels. In this, I am wishing you all take advantage of life and live it to the fullest. I love you and miss you all very very much. xoxox