Here are a few photos from around Spain:
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| Sevilla |
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| After meal treats |
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| Lisbon, Portugal |
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| Madrid |
~Jenny
Friday, March 16, 2012
Beautiful Madrid
What a wonderful weekend. The weather in Madrid has been amazing lately, in the 50's and 60's all week. I am content to be in Madrid and no longer feel that restless need to travel. Yesterday I walked around Banco de España metro and the surrounding areas. I didn't exactly know where I was going most of the time, but it was so beautiful outside it didn't bother me. I went to the Kodak store and got some film developed from a camera I had taken to Lisbon and Sevilla.
I hope you have a great weekend
Friday, March 9, 2012
Frankfurt and other experiences
Last weekend Sierra, Erika, and myself went to Frankfurt, Germany. It was a big thing for Erika who admitted she had only ever been on planes destined for Miami, Florida (her hometown) or Madrid, Spain (the place of her birth). I was very excited because I had never been to Germany and I had built it up in my mind as an ideal destination.
When we arrived it was much colder than we anticipated. When we finally got internet access we were bombarded by the out cries of our classmates describing the perfect weather in Madrid! We made the best of the cold weather and bundled up to explore the city.
One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Frankfurt Zoo. I had never seen a hippopotamus in person until that day at the Zoo. It is no exaggeration how gigantic they are! They had to be kept in an enclosure with powerful mist that fogged up our camera lenses. I could not get a clear picture of the hippo, but I got plenty of photos of the reptiles, fish, and monkeys.
We stayed in a really lovely hostel for two nights where were able to rent movies and had access to tea and coffee all day and night. Erika and I watched "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" directed by Woody Allen. The film made me miss Barcelona and Spain.
Our last day in Frankfurt we all admitted we were homesick for Madrid. I think the chill in Frankfurt was getting to us. As far as my new years resolutions: I have visited three counties this semester, I have read at least a book a week, and I have figured out the features of my fisheye camera.
Have a lovely weekend readers! And Happy belated Woman's Day!!
When we arrived it was much colder than we anticipated. When we finally got internet access we were bombarded by the out cries of our classmates describing the perfect weather in Madrid! We made the best of the cold weather and bundled up to explore the city.
One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Frankfurt Zoo. I had never seen a hippopotamus in person until that day at the Zoo. It is no exaggeration how gigantic they are! They had to be kept in an enclosure with powerful mist that fogged up our camera lenses. I could not get a clear picture of the hippo, but I got plenty of photos of the reptiles, fish, and monkeys.
We stayed in a really lovely hostel for two nights where were able to rent movies and had access to tea and coffee all day and night. Erika and I watched "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" directed by Woody Allen. The film made me miss Barcelona and Spain.
Our last day in Frankfurt we all admitted we were homesick for Madrid. I think the chill in Frankfurt was getting to us. As far as my new years resolutions: I have visited three counties this semester, I have read at least a book a week, and I have figured out the features of my fisheye camera.
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| The Bat House |
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| Goofing around in the Hostel |
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| Reptile Room |
~Jenny
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Reporting from Cardiff, Wales
Hello! I'm writing from Cardiff, Wales! I spent the day yesterday with my grandad and his wife Eunice, who were celebrating twenty-five years of marriage! Today I am at my aunt Nicola and Uncle Craig's home (also in Cardiff).
The flight here was only a few hours and suddenly I am reunited with my brother James and my Mom. I was shocked to hear Jimmy's voice has gotten deeper now that he's thirteen and he is only a few inches shorter than me now!
It is so nice to relax after mid-terms stress by walking along the misty beach and exploring a medieval castle. When I return to Madrid I can show you all some of the photos I have taken on my journeying about Wales.
I still have one last midterm on Wednesday, so in all honesty I am not completely free from studying.
Can't wait to be back in Madrid!
~Jenny
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lisbon, Portugal
Hello again!
This weekend I went on a school trip to Lisbon, Portugal. I am so glad I went on the trip because I don't think I would have gone on my own. Lisbon was so different than I ever anticipated it being. Initially, I thought that it would be very similar to Spain, but upon arrival I realized how wrong I had been. The languages, customs, and traditions are totally unique.
While in Portugal, we visited: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Palácio Nacional da Pena; and the surrounding town Sintra, Cabo de Roca (the Western-most point of continental Europe), and el Museo Gulbenkian.
My favorite place to visit was the museum, because the collection included many impressionist painters (including Monet), exotic ceramics from China, and Baroque period furniture.
I was sad to leave Portugal because although it was quite cold, the sun was always shining on us. Portugal is definitely a destination I would recommend and a place I hope to revisit shortly!
Happy Valentines everyone! (p.s. hope for a safe flight for my brother James and my mom to the U.K. today!)
This weekend I went on a school trip to Lisbon, Portugal. I am so glad I went on the trip because I don't think I would have gone on my own. Lisbon was so different than I ever anticipated it being. Initially, I thought that it would be very similar to Spain, but upon arrival I realized how wrong I had been. The languages, customs, and traditions are totally unique.
While in Portugal, we visited: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Palácio Nacional da Pena; and the surrounding town Sintra, Cabo de Roca (the Western-most point of continental Europe), and el Museo Gulbenkian.
My favorite place to visit was the museum, because the collection included many impressionist painters (including Monet), exotic ceramics from China, and Baroque period furniture.
I was sad to leave Portugal because although it was quite cold, the sun was always shining on us. Portugal is definitely a destination I would recommend and a place I hope to revisit shortly!
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| The view out my hotel window |
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| Raspberry and Chocolate ice cream!! |
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| The Castle |
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| My favorite, very simple but elegant |
Happy Valentines everyone! (p.s. hope for a safe flight for my brother James and my mom to the U.K. today!)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
February, Where Did You Come From?
Buenas tardes!
How is it already February? I am normally so aware of the passage of time, but this semester is
flying by! I can only imagine how quickly this month will go by, however it is a leap year. I feel as though I just returned from Sevilla, and next weekend I will be in Lisbon, Portugal! My classes are challenging but I am learning so much. I feel positive about my New Years Resolutions as I have just booked a flight to Frankfurt, Germany with my two good friends (Ms. Erika Pradillo and Ms. Sierra Meszaros). Some other exciting news, is that my Mom is coming to Europe! Her and my little brother Jimmy will be visiting my Granddad in Cardiff, Wales and I am desperately searching for flights from Madrid to see them. I think I'm going to get whiplash from all the sight-seeing I've been doing.
In other news, I have just figured out one of the fundamentals of public transit: taking the bus! All this time I have been racing out of the house and walking to school, when low and behold, there is a bus that runs adjacent to my street and the route stops just outside Tienda Verde (a local sandwich shop) about 5 minutes from SUMC! I am a little embarrassed at how long it took me to figure this out, but I am just grateful for the extra time I now have to sleep in.
It has been hard to stay focused in my classes, when all I want to do is day dream about all the places I could go. I have kept myself grounded by sticking to my hobbies and school work. I have finished another book, (I'm trying to read a book a week, because I am truly an unfortunately slow reader) "Will Grayson/Will Grayson" by John Green & David Levithan and give it five stars. John Green is turning into one of my favorite authors. My next reading excursion is "The Portable James Joyce", because ever since my English 102 class read Joyce's short story "Eveline", I have been captivated by his unique writing.
Hasta luego my devoted readers!
Jenny
How is it already February? I am normally so aware of the passage of time, but this semester is
flying by! I can only imagine how quickly this month will go by, however it is a leap year. I feel as though I just returned from Sevilla, and next weekend I will be in Lisbon, Portugal! My classes are challenging but I am learning so much. I feel positive about my New Years Resolutions as I have just booked a flight to Frankfurt, Germany with my two good friends (Ms. Erika Pradillo and Ms. Sierra Meszaros). Some other exciting news, is that my Mom is coming to Europe! Her and my little brother Jimmy will be visiting my Granddad in Cardiff, Wales and I am desperately searching for flights from Madrid to see them. I think I'm going to get whiplash from all the sight-seeing I've been doing.
In other news, I have just figured out one of the fundamentals of public transit: taking the bus! All this time I have been racing out of the house and walking to school, when low and behold, there is a bus that runs adjacent to my street and the route stops just outside Tienda Verde (a local sandwich shop) about 5 minutes from SUMC! I am a little embarrassed at how long it took me to figure this out, but I am just grateful for the extra time I now have to sleep in.
It has been hard to stay focused in my classes, when all I want to do is day dream about all the places I could go. I have kept myself grounded by sticking to my hobbies and school work. I have finished another book, (I'm trying to read a book a week, because I am truly an unfortunately slow reader) "Will Grayson/Will Grayson" by John Green & David Levithan and give it five stars. John Green is turning into one of my favorite authors. My next reading excursion is "The Portable James Joyce", because ever since my English 102 class read Joyce's short story "Eveline", I have been captivated by his unique writing.
Hasta luego my devoted readers!
Jenny
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Everything Is New Again!
I believe my favorite holiday is New
Years Day. Certainly, the adjustment period of learning to correctly
write the date on homework assignments and notes can be frustrating
but the possibilities that the New Year bring are worth that small
annoyance. It may sound trite, but New Years Eve and the days leading
up to it are great days to be introspective and to reevaluate your
goals.
I love New Year's resolutions,
probably because I know everyone else seems to hate them. What I do
to stay inspired in achieving my goals is to start by picking
resolutions that are fun, who says they have to be serious? They are
my resolutions and I will resolve them as I please. My New Years
resolutions revolved around devoting more time to my hobbies. I can
fall into routines when I return to work or school and tend to
neglect doing the things I love because I feel “too bogged down”.
I resolved, in no particular order: 1) to take more photos and learn
to master film photography 2) Read all the books I brought with me to
Spain 3) Travel while I can 4) Learn to play a musical instrument.
Just to make myself feel better in
relation to my progress I have: 1) brought three film cameras with me
to Spain and have already finished four rolls of film 2) Finished
reading two novels since arriving in Spain and 3) Planned where I
intend upon spending my spring break with my friend Erika.
Unfortunately for resolution 4, I have
yet to find a collapsable guitar or piano for travel purposes. I may
have to wait until summer to resolve that one.
Since I have returned to Spain I have
had one major new years relization. My epiphany moment came when my
friend Erika and I sat down to plan out the places we would like to
see in Europe over the break. As I stared down the map of Europe I
realized that I am not done with Europe. I haven't seen enough and I
haven't done enough. This semester I wanted to figure out where I
would be next year and it was no question, I picture myself here.
Adios amigos,
Jenny
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Feliz Navidad!~End of semester festivities
Feliz Navidad!
Hola readers,
Finals are over and I am home with my family in good old Massachusetts! Despite being sick for the past week, (perils of traveling) I have managed to see everyone in my immediate family and my close friends. It is so bizarre to feel culture shock from your own culture! I drove again for the first time in 4 months and I can't say I missed it too much!
Over the course of the semester I have kept in touch with my family in Europe. My Grandfather in Wales, U.K. said I could spend the three week break at his house, but as much as I would have liked to have a holiday in the United Kingdom, it was important for me to come home to the United States. The first year away from home is tough for any college student and I knew coming to Spain meant that I would be thousands of miles away from my family. I never anticipated how much I would miss my relatives and the quirks of my hometown. I am never sentimental and I have never been homesick before, but in Spain I found myself being reminded of my family and friends everywhere I went. When I saw an old tapas bar in Granada, with driftwood tables, I thought of my father's driftwood table. When I went to El Rastro (the infamous flea market) I reminisced times spent at Todd Farm, the flea market in Rowley, MA, where I dutifully spent my Sunday mornings in search of trinkets and lost treasures. I could not walk into a pharmacy in Madrid without conjuring images of my part-time job at Rite Aid Pharmacy and my friendly co-workers. Those who stayed in Madrid while the majority of us at SUMC went home are very brave and lucky to have time to travel Europe commitment-free.
While it is nice to be back with my family and reconnecting with friends, I do miss Madrid. Coming home was a relief for me; I believe it reaffirmed that coming to Spain was the best decision I made. Instead of Skyping with friends from Boston, I am now Skyping the friends I made at SUMC! I have bought tickets to Lithuania for March 22nd-25th and have confirmed a trip to Paris, France with my friend Caitlin Cataldo in February to celebrate her birthday. Traveling is important to me, and I intend on visiting as many places as I can next semester. I am so excited to see the new faces of students in January and the adventures the new year will bring.
Feliz Navidad, Happy Christmas, Linksmų Kalėdų!!!
Have a great holiday season!!
Adios,
Jenny Usovicz
Hola readers,
Finals are over and I am home with my family in good old Massachusetts! Despite being sick for the past week, (perils of traveling) I have managed to see everyone in my immediate family and my close friends. It is so bizarre to feel culture shock from your own culture! I drove again for the first time in 4 months and I can't say I missed it too much!
Over the course of the semester I have kept in touch with my family in Europe. My Grandfather in Wales, U.K. said I could spend the three week break at his house, but as much as I would have liked to have a holiday in the United Kingdom, it was important for me to come home to the United States. The first year away from home is tough for any college student and I knew coming to Spain meant that I would be thousands of miles away from my family. I never anticipated how much I would miss my relatives and the quirks of my hometown. I am never sentimental and I have never been homesick before, but in Spain I found myself being reminded of my family and friends everywhere I went. When I saw an old tapas bar in Granada, with driftwood tables, I thought of my father's driftwood table. When I went to El Rastro (the infamous flea market) I reminisced times spent at Todd Farm, the flea market in Rowley, MA, where I dutifully spent my Sunday mornings in search of trinkets and lost treasures. I could not walk into a pharmacy in Madrid without conjuring images of my part-time job at Rite Aid Pharmacy and my friendly co-workers. Those who stayed in Madrid while the majority of us at SUMC went home are very brave and lucky to have time to travel Europe commitment-free.
While it is nice to be back with my family and reconnecting with friends, I do miss Madrid. Coming home was a relief for me; I believe it reaffirmed that coming to Spain was the best decision I made. Instead of Skyping with friends from Boston, I am now Skyping the friends I made at SUMC! I have bought tickets to Lithuania for March 22nd-25th and have confirmed a trip to Paris, France with my friend Caitlin Cataldo in February to celebrate her birthday. Traveling is important to me, and I intend on visiting as many places as I can next semester. I am so excited to see the new faces of students in January and the adventures the new year will bring.
Feliz Navidad, Happy Christmas, Linksmų Kalėdų!!!
Have a great holiday season!!
Adios,
Jenny Usovicz
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