Yeah so I went to the South of Spain last week. Ok I gotta stop bragging. I'll just do the pic thing, it´s less blatant.

So this is a pic of Andalucia (basically the state I went to) this is kind of what Quixote´s la mancha looked like. Lots of olive trees and not a lot of water. It doesn´t all look like this, you´ll see.

yeah this is the holy altar from the Mosque/now Cathedral in Cordoba, it`s the famous one with all of the arches. I`m totally in love with Arabic art as you can see why. next slide...

Sadly I couldn`t hold the camera still enough but this is the Flamenco show that we went to in Sevilla. To me at least, Flamenco is the perfect combination of grace and get the hell out of my way attitude.This girl was amazing. This is one girl you would not want to cross. So awesome.

After a long day of looking at cathedrals our professors also brought us to a hooka bar. They made us do it. It´s culture ya know.This is in Granada, where both Arabic and Christian influences mesh so well together...

And this is the Alhambrain Granada, I don´t have words to describe this place. It´s just too much. It was just so amazing to be able to sit on the ledge in this gypsy barrio, watch the sun set on the Alhambra, and listening to flamenco in the back...

As for now, I`m getting prepped for Samantha to come visit me! ´Cannot wait! More to come..

You're looking at the proudest girl on earth. This is the culmination of my life so far. I went to.......Lisbon! Oh and by myself!!! (I can brag now that I'm back safe)

K so here we go

To Start Lisbon is gorgeous

It's so old world, so real, soo umm Portugese I can't explain it so I'll just give you the pics and btw (Samantha) I know you like to take care of me but don't be knockin' the doo-rag, it happens to be very "guay" in Europe. The trick is not to make your ears stick out. Yeah who's the cool kid now?

K so, there's this incredible monastery there what many people say is the most famous in the world. So here's why...

another shot I had to take by myself (oh yeah...sad, sad) this place was sooo peaceful, all you could hear was the waterfountain down below.

And there was some funny stuff goin on too(no not the drug dealers) this totally got me -the accordion playing boy with his adorable howling puppy dog

And then I went to Cascais beach with a group from USD CA. It was rockin'

So I would HIGHLY recomend going to Portugal. For the food(esp the pastries), the super friendly people, the port, it's all good. I had an INCREDIBLE time but I have to admit, at times, while I was in Portugal, I started to miss Madrid.

Currently Reading Sun Also Rises By Ernest Hemingway see related

I've never considered myself to be the tree-hugging granola type but Retiro Park is absolutely bellisima! Take for example one of the ponds in Retiro this place is called the Crystal Palace...(hi Dad)

Or the entrance to the park..

And the park is loaded with people. Tons of cute kids watching puppet shows, people rowing in boats, people doing their wine and cheese thing, and every Sunday there is an orchestra concert giving a pops type concert.

The leaves are turning, every view is perfectly adorned with flowers and statues to famous leaders or artists, and the atmosphere is perfectly chill.

If I end up not being able to leave Madrid you know where to find me.

On a less selfish note I have to give a shout out to our SMU Football team!!! Woot!(Yes, it's a word) 21-10 against TCU! I gotta say it "Didn't TCU just beat OU? ...Huh" I think I'm starting to get some school spirit....err...Go Mustangs! (ooo that sounds weird)

I'm paying homage to my sisters wishes and my ego (which I justify by thinking that everyone wants to know what I'm up to) I'm going to give more about a day in the life of Lauren.

Starting with the notorious nightlife I give you the milder pics first...I've decided that everyday I'm going to have pseudo sex-in-the-city "without armor" (that means books(ok well sometimes I cave), compy, hmwk, phone) alone time in Madrid which I have to say is an art form. It requires intense concentration to not hear other conversations, not think that other people think you're another stupid american, and plenty of thoughts of "I'm in Madrid, Hell Yeah".

So far on this voyage I've decided to start reading Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" It also helps to enjoy a cana as Hemingway would have undoubtabley appreciated as well. In fact yesterday I went to Starbucks and drank from my lover which is the toffee-nut latte while enjoying my view of Neptune's plaza and the Ritz hotel as it was Hemingway's favorite.  

I'm still having an incredible time with Chelo. I can't tell you how amazing she is. She speaks her mind, has a great sense of taste, awesome heart, and cooks like a hoss. Just look at her. Oh yeah and btw I totally made those aprons(with a lot of help..cough)

There are some sadder points in my life. Like figure out how to shower...

Saying good bye to Dad(he stayed here a whole week before school started)  in Madrid. He super loves me. This is a pic of us at Retiro Park(which I will dedicate a whole entry too later, the park I mean)

But overall I'm getting kind of addicted to this city. Hasta Luego!

Currently Listening Room for Squares By John Mayer see related

Ok, don't make fun of the Xanga virgin as this is her first entry...

I had the best day today. I found a place I need to bring back to the states. It's like a CiCi's coffeehouse only their drinks are incredibly sweet or strong and you have the option to make anything Irish. Super cute. I felt so cool, people watching, reading my book, or reading their pseudo-libertarian newspaper(don't worry mom/dad).  So the food here is amazing and incredibly healthy too. They're all about the natural foods here.

Classes are easy enough, my teachers are extremely nice, but they can get very "in your face" but they don't mean to be that way. Same thing with my host mom. Everything here is so much more graphic and agressive. The guys here also like to stare a lot and make you nervous like they're preying on you but Chelo cleared it up and said that "los leones son gatos". 

If you don't care about my blab and you'd rather do the pic book version  so to:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/laurenjean2002/my_photos

I'm having an amazing time. The homesickness is going away and I've stopped eating my feelings but check out this breakfast, I get this every morning. Chelo says I don't need vitamins while I'm here. I believe her.

 
First Day of School Breakfast! yummy...