I've Got To Rock Until You Drop

I love to travel, but this trip was... hmm, a time for firsts.

This was the first time I'd ever been on a plane that had to turn around. The first time I had to find my way around a city I had no interest in exploring, I booked a hotel myself, ordered room service, took a cab ride by myself, been chased by a hobo, cried while shopping because of the sales tax, got hit on by an Italian waiter (WTF REALLY), had no interest in doing anything one day so I vegged out, applied for a visa, stayed in a scary hotel like the Bates Motel in Psycho, ate salmon for breakfast and spent $13.50 on French macaroons.

Also, this was the first time I'd ever been called up to change seats at the airline counter. Was sure glad I did it cos I got major leg room. The first time I'd ever had a flight delayed.

Um, what else. LOL the first time I went three days without a shower (long story). Also the first time I wanted to go home so badly I cried at the airport.

Last Tuesday was the first orientation for study abroad. Speaking of which, I have another one today from 2:30 to 5:30 PM and didn't do my homework for it, oops. There's only one guy going to Spain with this program. Hahaha.

Yeah. All those awkward firsts are out of the way. I should really write some more substantial entries, maybe put some pictures up. I think that'd be nicer to look at, right?

I'm loving angels instead

I'm in San Francisco with an appointment to get my Spanish visa tomorrow. I got in this morning at about 9 AM. I was supposed to get in at 6 AM but an hour outside of Honolulu, someone had a heart attack and we had to turn around so they could get medical attention.

I'm an experienced flyer and I've never had to deal with anything like that. It just scared me a bit, especially with the death anniversary of a friend coming up next week.

It just made me realize why I want to go to Spain so badly, thinking about that friend. He used to live life to the fullest, worked as a nanny in Switzerland, and encouraged me to follow my dreams, as he did the same. He was so scared of being a nanny, but he did it well.

This is my dream, to live in a place where I love it so much. Where I don't know the language well enough to survive. I'm scared too, but who knows how I'll fare.

Anyway, these are just thoughts since I've run out of my room service chicken and ginger ale. (It was good just ridiculously overpriced!) Anyway, off to shower since I smell like Northwest Airlines.

Open My Eyes, I'm Tired Of Dreaming

For ten years, I've lived here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and now it's starting to hit me that I'm actually leaving.

I'm so excited yet so terrified of being on my own. I suppose it's normal to have these feelings. I'm very lucky to have such a supportive family and to have so many people in my life who've encouraged me to do this.

Anyway. Tuesday, I'm going to San Francisco to get my student visa! I need to do all the paperwork for my visa before I leave.

We Got That One Nice Dream We Live For

As of 16 January 2008, I will be calling Sevilla, Spain my home for a semester. I'll be studying politics, Spanish and probably art while I'm there, in addition to living one sweet life.

I decided to start this blog to chronicle my life in the lead up and while there so my family and friends can read it.

I found out last week, 25 October 2007, that I was selected through my university to study in Sevilla, Spain. Before that, on 15 October 2007, I submitted my application for selection. And the month before that, I attended various meetings (and bothering the study abroad people with questions) to figure out where exactly to go.

Anyway, back to 25 October. I get a phone call on the way to school telling me to go to the study abroad center to pick up my acceptance packet for Sevilla, Spain.

They give you this giant fold filled with mini-packets to fill out with various due dates. I have two due on Friday, 9 November.

Things to do:
-Packet A/B
-Get visa
-Shop
-Lose some weight