Memories of Salamanca

Living in a city, I've noticed almost nothing goes according to plan. There are more people, more traffic, and more noise. I live in a district with a few hospitals and more than a few bars, so if its not ambulance sirens waking me up, its inebriated soccer fans chanting. But I am not complaining, Madrid is the most exciting place I have ever lived. There is always something going on in this city. Sometimes I like to go to Gran Via and walk up and down just to see all the people and lights. Gran Via reminds of  Times Square. Other times I like to hide away from the city in a cafe in Noviciado with a text book and a gigantic mug of coffee. 

Exciting News!!! My sister Caroline will be visiting me in November! I can't wait to show her Madrid, I know she will like it just as much as I do. In other news I'm planning a trip to Portugal in October with my friends Eileen and Katie to celebrate Eileen's birthday! It's my first trip of the semester I have planned, but I know I want to travel to a few more places. 

I just developed some of the film I took in Salamanca, so here are a few photos of my experiences:

Main Plaza in Salamanca and Gabby

Jessica and Erica outside the residency

 Salamanca

Leo & Kevin in Salamanca

Eileen & Alana

Sitting in the grass outside the residency

We raided the vending machine for M&M's and Snickers waiting for dinner.

Matt my favorite and I

Have a great day!
-Jenny

Back In Madrid!!

 First week back at school and it feels like I never left. I have fallen back into my Madrid routine  already. I love this city! I had a fantastic summer! (hard at work on my new years resolutions of course) I learned to play the bass and did stand-up comedy this summer.

This summer was fantastic, mainly I believe, because I set out to do absolutely nothing. In my infinite boredom  I ventured a try at a few random hobbies such as long-boarding, stand-up comedy, and taking bass lessons. Stand-up comedy was always something I was passionate about, but it wasn't until this summer I finally found a venue to perform at. The trouble with these hobbies is now that I am in Madrid, I am finding its pretty difficult to continue them. So in the mean-time I'm on a mission to locate an acoustic bass or a band room I can practice in. I'm using this time away to store up a wealth of jokes so when I get home I can get right back into the comedy-scene. This time it was much harder to leave home. I moved out of my parents house into my sister's apartment in Salem, MA. Leaving for Madrid felt like the end of an era. I was leaving the U.S. and my sister was moving apartments. We had a big final gathering at the apartment. I felt like I was leaving my family. 

This summer changed me. When people ask me what I did all summer, I just smile because to a stranger it sounds like nothing much, but to me it was one of the defining periods of my life. 

 Today a few friends and I are headed to DCODE FEST to see The Kooks and The Killers at a venue 10 minutes from our apartment. It's my first concert in Madrid so I have high hopes!
Have an awesome day wherever you are!!
Jennifer