Lost in Translation

Language is such a funny thing ... have you ever thought about how it is weird that we do not say a country's name in its' own language? For example, we do not say Espana, we say Spain. I understand that at some point we would face difficulties when trying to spell out the country name in its' origin language, but even so ... If we were taught the country name in its' own language originially, it might not be so hard.

Another thing about language - I feel fortunate to know English. It seems like such a go-to language. Our common denominator is English or better yet, BODY language. I watched an interaction between someone from Asia and someone from Greece. The person from Greece was working at a coffee counter and the person from Asia was trying to purchase something. The Greek woman started by speaking in Greek and then went to English. The Asian woman stuck with the language she knew. When they both realized they were not understanding each other or getting anywhere, they moved on to body language. They pointed - the Asian woman pointed to what she wanted and the Greek woman pointed to the numerical sign with the cost.

Truth is - we all do speak the same language: body language.

Series of Dreams

Written in Santorini, Greece 28/04/09:

"I was thinking ... of a series of dreams ..."

This song came on my iPod and so I wrote ... I've had a series of dreams throughout my life: become a teacher, a lobbyist, an international lawyer (and have attended Northwestern law), ... these have changed, come, and gone, but a few that have held steadfast have been my travel dreams. Since I was very young, I have always wanted to go to Venice. It was always a dream-city for me. I guess I thought the gondola rides were just super neat. I'm going on May 17th with my mom. It will be a dream come true. Do you know what that is like? Have you ever actually had one of your dreams come true?

I have.

Another travel dream of mine (and I admit, it isn't as old as my dream of going to Venice & it was highly influenced by The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) was to go to Greece. I'm here. I'm lying on the Black Perissa Beach. To my right - a mountain, behind me - the sea, underneath me - the sand. Although Venice will be a longer time coming, Greece is still a dream come true. It is a kind of surreal feeling.

I always though of myself as a "dream big, little girl" kind of girl, and I'm usually fairly optomistic, but for some reason, I guess I did not believe these dreams would come true. "Dream for the moon 'cause if you miss, you'll still land among the stars." I always thought that my travel dreams, Ireland, Greece, and Venice, were the moon - a mere dream - and the other travels in my life were the great stars. Well, here I am. I've landed on the moon and it is undescribeable.

Lance, I'm living out my series of dreams.

To all of you ... I urge you to do the same.

xoxo

You're going to ALWAYS want your Mommy

So this has been a crazy week ...

I went to Morocco last weekend and it was amazing! Really pretty and I had an awesome experience that will probably be in my top ten of my time overseas - we went to visit a synagogue. I expected it to look like a synagogue - chairs, a stage ... NOPE! Nonetheless, it was very neat. It had an ark with a gorgeous Torah and a bimah-like area. I went to speak to the man who was there to show it to us (it was cool because he was Jewish, living in Morocco, and we were speaking Spanish) - anyhoo - I went to speak to him because, for the life of me, I couldn't remember how the Shchechyanu started. He helped me and I said it - it was the only prayer that came to mind to say ... 1st time in that synagouge - or in a synagouge while overseas at all for that matter... and then I asked him if he had a Siddur. I looked at it, carefully going through each page and letting it affect my senses (touch, smell ...) - it was so old and in just hebrew, no English. When I went to hand the Siddur back to him he asked me if I'd like it. I said yes thinking I'd be able to buy it, but then he said - well then, it's my gift to you. It was so touching & one of the best souvenirs ever; something you cannot just simply purchase at a Kiosk - I will never forget that Synagogue. It may sound strange, but I know that Bubby was with me during my visit - I could feel her.

When I got back from Morocco Sunday night, I felt achy - you know, that going-to-be-sick achy. Monday it continued, but I took Tylenol (which they sell here - how cool!) and it masked the pain UNTIL I stopped taking the Tylenol and then BOOM! Monday night started the painful sickness that continued into Tuesday - couldn't eat, bathroom visits up the wazoo ... which lead to de-hydration and Wednesday morning at 3am it got worse. I decided to go to the hospital. To make a long story short - I got food poisoning (Gastro Interitis - which I can't spell) and stayed overnight in the hospital causing me to miss my bus to Madrid and my flight to Greece with my friends. The rest of my friends left Thursday as well for all of their Spring Break trips.

Since Tuesday, all I have wanted was my family. The truth is, you're always going to want your Mom. It was hard going through all of this (in Spanish) without my family and without my real home. I am fortunate for cell phones and the Internet, but I really wanted the care of Kerry and my Mom like I was used to (they were so good to me in December). My friends were great and so was my school, I had lots of visitors, but even so ... I still wanted my Mom and my family - my home.

Something about a Mother ... their care, their nature, their knowledge - it's comforting. My Mom is extra special - she never wants us to be in pain and will do what she can to help. Because of her, I get to go to Greece tomorrow. I couldn't be more thankful.

Till next time ... maybe you can go call your Mom, or think of her if she's no longer around, and tell her you love her!

xoxo
ME

Patriotism

Malaga!

Those red things in the bull ... they're swords :-(
Bull fights are not easy to watch, but everyone says you just have to do it ...

Happiness

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. ~A.A. Milne

The other day I was walking and I realized that I'm happy. It's weird to think, to say, to write ... I am a 20 year old girl - was I not happy before? The truth is, I think I lost myself a little while back - I wasn't acting like me and I didn't know what I wanted (out of life). Since being in Sevilla, I have felt more like myself than I have in such a very long time. I came to realize that I am not quite sure what I want or where I am going. It feels nice to not know exactly what I will be doing this summer or where I will be when I graduate or even which degress I will be graduating with, BUT I do know that I want to try and keep this feeling around ... the one that Pooh can't quite describe - the feeling right before you begin to eat the honey.

There is a moment in the movie Life as a House when Chris Kline says "I'm happy today", and that is the moment I had the other day. I can't completely explain why or exactly how I feel, but I know that I am happy. I know that I feel more in tune with myself and my surroundings than I had felt previously.

All I can say is that, just like Pooh, I can't really figure out what to call how I feel other than happiness - the feeling that my heart is literally smiling along side me with each passing moment (and even in the moments that make me frown ... my heart still feels whole and content).

Things I'd Never done before Spain ...

This one I will keep updating ...

BEFORE I CAME TO SPAIN I HAD NEVER:
- Gone to Sevilla, Granada, Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga, Dublin, Barcelona, Huelva, Madrid, Sintra, Algarve (Albeifera), Marbella, Morocco, Greece (Santorini & a little bit of Athens)
- Been to Africa!!! (the 4th continent I've seen)
- Lived with a Spanish family
- Kissed in the rain
- Eaten: bacon, ham, mussels, clams, OH SO MANY THINGS
- Taken non-Spanish classes in Spanish
- Taken Yoga in Spanish
- Had a shot of Absynthe (don't do it)
- Stayed in a hostal
- Riden a bike on a cobblestone street
- Drank a pint of: Guiness, Smithwicks, Bulmers
- Sun bathed topless
- Gone to a movie alone
- Seen a Spanish film without English or Spanish subtitles
- Swam off the African Atlantic coast!, in hot springs, in the Agrarian sea, in a large body of water when I could not touch the bottom without a life vest
- Rode a donkey

Lisboa!

3 x 5

John Mayer - 3x5
¨I'm writing you to
catch you up on places I've been
You held this letter
probably got excited, but there's nothing else inside it
didn't have a camera by my side this time
hopping I would see the world with both my eyes
maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm
in the mood to lose my way with words
Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'
And strange how clouds that look like mountains in the sky
are next to mountains anyway
Didn't have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm
in the mood to lose my way
but let me say
You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
it brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
just no more 3x5's Guess you had to be there
Guess you had to be with me Today I finally overcame
tryin' to fit the world inside a picture frame
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm in the mood to
lose my way but let me say
You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
it brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
no more 3x5'¨

This song came to mind as I was walking the streets/mountains of Lisbon this past weekend. I couldn´t help but wish that so many people were with me to experience what I did, see what I did, and feel what I did because I truly wanted to share the feelings. I do believe that the experience was shared with such great people - Ben, Daniel, Scott, Lex & Christina made my memories (which couldn´t be captured within the dimensions of a picture) unforgettable, however, I do believe that the people you make memories with and share memories with have the ability to impact the memory itself. Therefore, I did take pictures and videos because I do want to take my family and friends with me to experience my dreams and travels with me! A post will be coming soon with some videos - check out facebook for pics. To go along with John Mayer´s song, I can´t completely explain how my weekend was or how amazing my experiences were ... I hope pictures can say more than a 1000 words - ENJOY! DISFRUTAR (which reminds me ...) I thought a lot about that word this weekend. Disfrutar directly translates to mean ënjoy¨but I feel like the word enjoy doesn´t mean as much as difrutar does ... my point is that throughout my travels I continuely am trying to remind myself to ¨disfruta el momento¨!

TimeTravel

So I haven't written in a while 'cause I can't completely figure out if I'd like to use this blog as a place to put more profound thoughts, as a random update on my travels, or a combo of both: as a little combo of both I would update by saying I went t Granada this weekend and it is absolutely gorgeous! I love how places you visit can remind you of other places you've been ... for me it was an Israel Puerto Vallarta combo. It's a city of layers - if you will - up top are snow capped mountainsa and hidden in between the very narrow streets is a mizxture of culture and history ... GO IF YOU GET THE CHANCE! (and if not ... check out my pics on facebook)!

For the other part of my cybercombo ... the profound thoughts: Time during Travel - its insane how fast it all goes! I can't believe that half of Feb. is basically over! but aside from that ... my thoughts on TimeTravel are how fast you build bonds and relationships with the people you encounter. I have a core group of friends here in Sevilla and today I referred to them as my best friends - AND WITHOUT HESITATION! It was weird after I said it because I realized that I have only known them about 3 weeks and - some might say I don't really know them at all. I just think it is so interesting how the analysis of time is different while travelling.

STAY

"Wasting time -
Let the hours roll by
Doing nothing for fun
Little taste of the good life
Whether right or wrong
Makes us wanna STAY, STAY, STAY, STAY, STAY FOR A WHILE!"

So yes - this post is a lot different from my first one ... once again I was walking along the river and enjoying the sounds of the tunes on my ipod and "stay (wasting time)" came on by Dave Matthews. Of course I needed to take out my Moleskin again and write down my thoughts:

4 months - a semester - 1/3 of a year ... it all sounds so long BUT when you listen to a song like Stay and have the experiences that I've had and the moments that I've shared with people I've merely met two weeks ago but can call my good friends - 4 months doesn't seem like a long long time - it seems too short. "I'd sure miss this thing when it all rolls by..." I started to feel (prematurely) bitter-sweet about the end of my semester here..., BUT "...for a moment this good time would never end". Yes, that phrase is oxymoronic because it is merely a moment that never ends ... I plan to treat every moment like that - I will cherish it and enjoy it!

xoxo

A Toast to the Past!

"It's time to move on
Time to get going
What lies ahead I have no way of knowing,
But under my feet
The grass is growing."
-Tom Petty

I have heard this song a few times now because Lance put it on my "Travelin' Tunes" CDs but today - a gorgeous day in Sevilla with warmer weather than we had yet - I jammed out on my way through the streets, and when I heard this song, I couldn't help but take out my Moleskin and write down my thoughts. Monday morning was a hard morning for me, but that night I went out with some friends and had a drink ... that night, this song, and other things let me to these thoughts:

With a smile I had a drink to the past
and with excitement I toasted to the future!
Life's an oyster -
Enjoy the taste!
(And if that one tastes no good ...
pick up another and keep trying!)

xoxo
ME

Walk with me ... (to class)

my first post!

hello all blog followers!

so I do not have a lot of time to blog today and instead of updating you on the things I have been doing ... I want to update you on the positive thoughts I have been having. Every nasty cloud has a silver lining - right?

Well the second and third nights were a bit difficult and I started to feel that homesick - why am I doing this - 4 months is daunting - thing ... but in the nights following as I started to feel homesick again I realized that it is kinda nice ...

I spoke with some people and they couldn't wait to be here cuase they wanted to leave whatever they had at home and for maybe one of the first times in my life, i felt VERY VERY secure in my life! My friends, my family, my academics and social schedule ... it was all perfect and I was very content.

This expereince is going to be amazing and I am sure going to prove that no regrets will be necessary so being "homesick" is just a beginning thing and I am sure will go away ... but being "homesecure" is something that I am excited to feel now and excited to hopefully feel more of. Coming here, and even in just a few short days, has given me an appreciation for not only the life I have back in the states - my family and friends and the nice circle I round daily, but the states themselves. The culture here and the place is great!!! but it has shown me that I reall am a proud american!

ok - that is all for now .. but as I travel and such and have more thoughts - I will share!
xoxo
ME

Time to Travel Tess...

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the girl who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

As your older brother, and specifically one that prides himself on the influence I have had on your life :), I wanted to give you a gift that made you realize just how much you have done the same for me.

Your courage.
Your passion.
Your ability to live a life with purpose.
Your willingness to live a life worth living.

They are inspirational.
You are an inspiration.

Now is your time.
Now is your moment to explore.
Now is the moment you open yourself up to another world, because I assure you that everyone you encounter will open themselves up to you.

I ask one thing...

Bring us with you.
Share your moments. Share your encounters. Share your thoughts.
Let us continue to be influenced by the beauty and love that is Tessi.

Yes I know this is your blog, and therefore I will only take up a bit more room in your digital space.

But it's to share this final thought...

You have a natural harmony.
You have an ability to ride the waves that are all around you.
Listen to them.
Feel them.
Let them wash over you.
Let them wash away the urge to hold on.
Now is not the time to hold on. It's the time to jump on and see where you'll go.
Oh the Places You'll Go...

I have always found the easiest way to ride these waves, especially while traveling is with music.
You'll find what works best for you.
In the meantime, I've prepared a mix of Travelin' Tunes for Tess:

Disc 1:

• Never Been to Spain-Three Dog Night (Album: Harmony)
• Series of Dreams-Bob Dylan (Album: Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3)
• Time to Move On-Tom Petty (Album: Wildflowers)
• Feelin' Alright-Traffic (Album: Traffic)
• We're from Barcelona-I'm from Barcelona (Album: Let Me Introduce My Friends)
• Lady in Spain-Ingrid Michaelson (Album: Be OK)
• Spain-Rodrigo (Album: Gypsy Kings & Queens)
• Life By the Drop-Stevie Ray Vaughn (Album: Essential)
• In God's Country-U2 (Album: Joshua Tree)
• Ain't No Reason-Brett Dennen (Album: So Much More)
• Time to Pretend-MGMT (Album: Oracular Spectacular)
• Mean Old World-Duane Allman & Eric Clapton (Album: Layla Sessions)
• Across the Universe-Beatles (Album: Let It Be...Naked)
• Ooh La La-Faces (Album: Ooh La La)

Disc 2:

• Star Spangled Banner-Jimi Hendrix (Album: Ultimate Experience)
• Chicago-Sufjan Stevens (Album: Come On Feel the Illinoise)
• Change-Blind Melon (Album: Change)
• Ocean-John Butler Trio (Album: Live at St. Gallen)
• Euro Trash Girl-Cracker (Album: Kerosene Hat)
• Can You Hear the Music-Rolling Stones (Album: Goats Head Soup)
• Song of Our Country-Miles Davis (Album: Sketches of Spain)
• Holiday in Spain-Counting Crows (Album: Films About Ghosts)
• Seville-Justin King (Album: Le Bleu)
• One Big Holiday-My Morning Jacket (Album: It Still Moves)
• Can't Find My Way Home-Blind Faith (Album: Blind Faith)
  

I love you Tess.
And remember-

"Don't let your silly dreams, fall in between, the crack of the bed and the wall."

Love,

Lance