Saturday, July 27, 2013

Thank You Barcelona

As the program is coming to an end, I'm now starting to really realize how much I've grown over these short weeks.

On the surface, this trip was an amazing opportunity to learn more about Spanish culture, try some amazing food, and make friends.

However it wasn't just a vacation.  It truly was much more than simply that.

I learned about the person that I can be.
I leaned that I can do the things I say that I can't.
I learned in order to truly grow, you really have to step outside your comfort zone.

I know these statements sound so cliché.  But it's true.
I feel like I'm now a more confident, independent person.
I know what I'm capable of, and I have a better idea of the positive changes I can make moving forward.

Within the last week, I've already noticed how much I've changed.
I ended up organizing a trip to Barcelona Fashion Week - something I never would have had the courage to do.  I was never one to be a leader.  But I excitingly took the opportunity to be one.
This seems so small and so insignificant - most people could do this so easily.  But to me, it was a big deal.


I'm sad to leave Barcelona, but I'm excited to go back home and tackle my junior year of high school with this new attitude.

See you soon, Barcelona.  Thanks for breaking me out of my shell.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Let's Hit The Beach


Today we spent the day at Barceloneta Beach.  We didn't have any classes so I was especially excited to just relax, maybe read a book.

At the beginning of the trip, I was hoping there was going to be something that would kinda break me out of my shell.  Today just happened to be that day.

We took the subway (which I finally got the hang of!) to Barceloneta Beach from our dorms uptown.  The beach was incredibly crowded as it was the most perfect beach day.  It was hot and sunny, but with a nice breeze.

We chose a spot near the volleyball nets to lay out our towels and decided to venture and explore the beach area.  Even though my tip has forty-five kids on it, we each have our little groups.  So far, I haven't found one group that I definitely fit into.  There are a lot of people on the trip I'm friendly with and usually float from group to group depending on the activity.



Lindsey, Erika, Kayla, Kelsey, Bruna, Drew and I chose to stop at Opium among the may bars and clubs that lined the beach.  Opium is your typical Barcelona beach club.  It's a fun day-drinking spot that turns into one of the hottest night clubs when the sun goes down.  Just standing outside the hotspot made me feel uncomfortable.  There is a strict "no-alcohol" policy on my trip and I'm not one familiar with breaking rules.  Everyone walked so causally though the entryway.  Me, on the other hand, I held onto Lindsey nervously.

"Let's start off with a pitcher of Sangria, and tequila shots for each of us por favor!" Lindsey asked the waiter as we sat down at the beachfront lounge area.  I stared at her blankly - how did she know what to order or where did she find the courage to even ask.

Our drinks arrived and I quickly took a sip, paranoid that a counselor would walk by.  But as I looked around, I only saw kids from my trip and other vacationers enjoying their drinks, laughing with their friends, and having a good time.

At this point, I realized I was doing the trip completely wrong.  I wasn't having as much fun as everyone else seemed to be having.  I just needed to relax; get outside my comfort zone, really make the most of this trip.  I wanted to be put in situations that would make me uncomforbtale, and this was it.

After Opium we went back to our beach spot and met up with the rest of our trip.  Gio suggested we play a scavenger hunt type of game as a group.  Everyone shouted in agreement.  Except me.  To win the game, you had to find, ask questions to, and take pictures of every type of person on the list.

Approaching complete strangers and talking to them in Spanish?  There was no way my team was winning.  I'm incredibly shy, awkward, and not comfortbale with embarassing myself in front of people I don't know.

"Comon, have fun!  Don't worry about what other people think.  You can do it!" Erika encouraged.  Of all the people on the trip, I was closest to Erika.  I admired her outgoing attitude and bubbly personality.  I wanted to be more like her.


"Ok fine.  Let's do this." I answered.  We ran off and went right up to people.  And in the end, I had so much fun and learned a lot about myself.
Hey, I can actually talk to people.  It's not as scary as it seems.



Although for most people on my trip, it may have seemed like a simple beach trip.
For me, it was much more.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Hey Barcelona! I Have Arrived

I can't believe that I'm actually in Barcelona.  So far this trip has been so incredible. 

I'm making new friends, improving my Spanish, and trying delicious food.

I'm loving my trip and everything it has to offer so far.  I'm taking Spanish classes at an international school every morning, and each afternoon, a photography lesson with woman who shoots photos of models around the world.

I knew coming on this trip I really wanted to get something out of it.  This is a once in a lifetime experience and it would honestly be such a waste not to get the most out of it.

I'm hoping that I'll be able to grow as a person.  I'm hoping I'll be put in situations that make me uncomfortable.  I'm hoping that through this experience, I can become more of the person I want to be.

                       

I know this trip has so much potential to be more than just a chance to learn about Spanish and the history here.  I really see it as an opportunity to grow and challenge myself.