WELL!
It's been absolutely forever since I really thought about writing something, and I don't have much to say. But I realized I only have 3 weeks left here and I haven't really written about much adventures here! The problem is, some of the adventures are a bit inappropriate to share. If we talk on a regular basis, then you already know. An exciting milestone in my life has been going to a London town musical. We saw the Lion King, a musical made off the Disney movie (so you know that was on point). Let's delve a little deeper into how on point it really was.
Lion King is a movie about a lion who's, uh, a king. I was a bit iffy about how realistic they could really make this, because I was pretty sure they couldn't train lions to talk, sing, act, etc. Luckily, these people are geniuses when it comes to costumes and mechanisms to make stuff work. For example, Scar's head was like fixed to some wiring on his back so that when the actual actor put his head down, Scar's mask head would move to cover the actor's head. Hard to explain but freaking cool to look at. The lines were almost identical to the movie, so I felt like I was watching the movie in real life on a stage. Zazu was hilarious. THe guy playing him is an absolute nut, which made it even better to watch. The death scene was amazing, with simple effects (that looked great) to show all the wildebeests running, and scaffolding for Mufasa's death fall. The only complaint I had about the entire production was that Simba as a young cub SUCKED. He was very full of life and all but his acting sucked. I wasn't even sad when Mufasa died (whereas when I watch the movie I'm usually on the verge of tears). On the other hand, Nala as a cub and grown up was amazing, though. She had a beautiful singing voice and was very realistic with the acting. I won't spoil anymore if you'd like to watch, so to end I say you better go watch that.
Alex and I really want to go watch Dirty Dancing sometime soon. Thursday I'm going to some classical concert where they'll be playing the 1812 Overture with inside cannons and everything. Can't wait!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Mommies & Spaniards
I was cool enough to go to Barcelona for a week. That week has been one of the best weeks since I got to England (oh the irony). Jaime surprised me at the airport because, well, he wasn't supposed to be there. I screamed like a madwoman and of course every body within a 2 mile radius stopped and stared. I hugged them all (by all I mean my aunt and uncle, parents, and Jaime), cried, blah blah blah. Anyways, we ended up staying in some timeshare of my parents' in Salou, NOT Barcelona as I originally thought. Salou is an hour from Barcelona and a ghost town by 11 pm. Knowing me, you'd be inclined to think that was a problem. I'm here to tell you that it was. I spent my nights watching Dutch MTV and soap operas in the language they speak there, Catalan.
The good thing about being in an apartment-style place was we could buy groceries. I jumped on that opportunity and demanded my rice, beans, chicken, and plantains. Well, I didn't demand. I snuggled up to my mom and whined about the horrors they call food at Newbold and how they force us to eat it. The next morning: SURPRISE! I wake up to that home-cooking aroma.
Which made me realize something I haven't realized in a while. My mother is some amazingness wrapped up in a package that is conveniently related to me. See, when I used to hear her voice I would cringe and run in the opposite direction (or drive, whichever came first). I'm sure if I would have stayed in America it would have settled down but I never would have truly appreciated her. But living in a different country and seeing her about five times since I've left has had its impact on me. It's like I never saw her as a person, just this thing occupying a house that simply orders me around and shovels out money every once in a while. Good thing that image has changed. I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate knowing or reading this.
So, back to Spain. After a few days of casino-going and coming back home at 5 am (sometimes I didn't even last that long. I would find a couch in a hallway and knock out), we were pretty tired. One night we went to a hotel called the Arts where they have the largest casino in Barcelona (or Spain... not sure which). We played and played then decided, "HEY! We should just stay here for a night then go back to Salou tomorrow." Good idea! Turns out the grown-ups rented out two suites on 21st floor. This is a 5 star hotel. Customer service was impeccable, the beds were heavenly, and the shower had jets! We had gone shopping that day and I had clothes to change into. Jaime and I decided to go out dancing and have a bit of fun away from the grown-ups. For me, that fun turned into toilet hugging a dirty toilet in one of the clubs, falling in the street, and falling asleep on the rim of the hotel's toilet. Jaime took care of me but I had a hangover the next day, the third I've ever had. After that, we decided to stay the rest of the time in that hotel.
During this time, I thought because we were in a Spanish-speaking country and, hey, I speak Spanish, we would have a gay old time with the Spaniards. What a mistake. A lot of them had attitudes to kill. We left a restaurant because of its crappy service and attitude to us even though we were starving beyond belief. My dad's business partner (George) was with us, and he's Haitian. They think it's because of them that we got hated on. I also discovered something because of this. Being prejudiced is being ignorant. I knew that from before but never REALLY realized it. George is the richest person I know, and very generous. Had that restaurant sucked it up, they would have made a serious profit that night. But they couldn't see past his (or our) differences and ended up with a bad rep AND less money than they could have had. During the week, George and his wife had lots of experiences in which they were discriminated against. But that's where class and humility come in. They shrugged it off and kept moving with their life. A lesson to us all.
The good thing about being in an apartment-style place was we could buy groceries. I jumped on that opportunity and demanded my rice, beans, chicken, and plantains. Well, I didn't demand. I snuggled up to my mom and whined about the horrors they call food at Newbold and how they force us to eat it. The next morning: SURPRISE! I wake up to that home-cooking aroma.
Which made me realize something I haven't realized in a while. My mother is some amazingness wrapped up in a package that is conveniently related to me. See, when I used to hear her voice I would cringe and run in the opposite direction (or drive, whichever came first). I'm sure if I would have stayed in America it would have settled down but I never would have truly appreciated her. But living in a different country and seeing her about five times since I've left has had its impact on me. It's like I never saw her as a person, just this thing occupying a house that simply orders me around and shovels out money every once in a while. Good thing that image has changed. I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate knowing or reading this.
So, back to Spain. After a few days of casino-going and coming back home at 5 am (sometimes I didn't even last that long. I would find a couch in a hallway and knock out), we were pretty tired. One night we went to a hotel called the Arts where they have the largest casino in Barcelona (or Spain... not sure which). We played and played then decided, "HEY! We should just stay here for a night then go back to Salou tomorrow." Good idea! Turns out the grown-ups rented out two suites on 21st floor. This is a 5 star hotel. Customer service was impeccable, the beds were heavenly, and the shower had jets! We had gone shopping that day and I had clothes to change into. Jaime and I decided to go out dancing and have a bit of fun away from the grown-ups. For me, that fun turned into toilet hugging a dirty toilet in one of the clubs, falling in the street, and falling asleep on the rim of the hotel's toilet. Jaime took care of me but I had a hangover the next day, the third I've ever had. After that, we decided to stay the rest of the time in that hotel.
During this time, I thought because we were in a Spanish-speaking country and, hey, I speak Spanish, we would have a gay old time with the Spaniards. What a mistake. A lot of them had attitudes to kill. We left a restaurant because of its crappy service and attitude to us even though we were starving beyond belief. My dad's business partner (George) was with us, and he's Haitian. They think it's because of them that we got hated on. I also discovered something because of this. Being prejudiced is being ignorant. I knew that from before but never REALLY realized it. George is the richest person I know, and very generous. Had that restaurant sucked it up, they would have made a serious profit that night. But they couldn't see past his (or our) differences and ended up with a bad rep AND less money than they could have had. During the week, George and his wife had lots of experiences in which they were discriminated against. But that's where class and humility come in. They shrugged it off and kept moving with their life. A lesson to us all.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Je suis americaine
Well!
I have been here for a little over a month, but I feel like the stray sheep in all those stories trying to find its way home. I am tired, restless, and feel like I don't really care to be here anymore.
I have decided to go back next semester. I'll be going to Southern, so sorry to all my disappointed die-hard Floridian fans that hoped I would be staying home. I don't regret my decision one bit! I miss the days of high school, bumming around my house, and hanging out with my darling Dutchess. Being in America might make those memories not seem as foreign and far away.
School has been going along at a pretty steady pace. My English class is more of a politics class. The theme for most of the semester is on the elections, so we have debates and have to keep up with the going ons of everything back home (sounds suspiciously like American Government with an emphasis on grammar and essay structure). My teacher is hilarious though. He has seriously dry humor, which makes me like him even more. My World Religions teacher is Italian, and the poor woman has such a thick accent I can't help but giggle the entire class period. Her words come out so heavy, like: BOOD-hismuh (the 'h' is pronounced), Hindu-IS-muh, etc. Priceless. My Algebra teacher is a nut. She's Portugese and also has a super strong accent. For some reason she can't say her u's correctly. Her favorite word is "usually" but because of her accent it comes out as "OO-sually". She also says "OO-niun" for union. It took me about ten minutes to figure it out she wasn't saying onions. My French class is taught by a pleasant English woman. She's so friendly and knowledgeable, but doesn't act like she knows it all. I'm sure if she wasn't teaching french she'd be my favorite faculty member.
French was created by a drunk man who couldn't speak properly and was playing Pick A Letter when spelling the words. He slurred all his words together and decided not to follow the spelling of the words in his pronounciation. I for one hate this man and the misery he's put in my life learning this horrid yet sophisticated-sounding language. I was so excited to take this class. As a matter of fact, that was the only class I chose that I didn't have to take. I regret every second that took to make that decision. It's so similar to Spanish yet completely different. I speak a mixture of Spanish, French, and throw in English when I give up.
In other news, Brotherhood and I have had a few run-ins. For a while they thought I was VP, so they attacked me twice. Long story for a later date. I'm thinking of dropping out, simply because it's a waste of my energy and all I do is tense up whenever I see a member of Brotherhood. I'm always waiting for an ambush. We do have little parties and stuff, but I'm sure I can somehow survive without them.
25 October I head out to Barcelona, Spain for my mid-semester vacation. I'm meeting up with my parents, aunt and uncle, and my dad's business partner. I'm excited to have a vacation without worrying how much pounds I'm spending and what I'll tell my parents when I have to ask for more money. Oh the life of a broke, dependent college student.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Status and Modules
First of all, be aware that they pronounce the words above as "stay-tuhs" and "modj-ule". It irks me.
Anyways. Newbold College is a place where liberty is for all, as long as the rules are strictly followed. Thing is, these rules are being enforced THIS year because of a new principle. So, curfew is a must, worships and Dean meetings are a must, NSA (Newbold Student Association) meetings are a must, etc. Not everyone follows them, and not everyone gets penalized. But if they have you on their radar, you'll get shot down.
I, unfortunately, am on their radar.
Not because I've broken curfew (which I have), missed worships (which I have), or been disrespectful (this I haven't done). Mainly because I am friends with old-time students- students who know their way around and understand what's accepted and not acceptable. I'm constantly making sure SOMEONE sees me at the meetings and that my name is taken down. How long have I been here?
Also, Edelweiss is the sisterhood here at the school. This is kind of a "rival" group of the Brotherhood (obviously... girls and boys). We have secret meetings, attack members of the Brotherhood, and we occasionally go out and be nice to them. I'm a little iffy about it, cuz I know if someone attacks me I'll be pissed. And since I'm an officer, it's more "points" to attack me and the other officers. Yay.
I'm still debating as to whether I should go to SAU next semester or what. If I do stay, it will mostly be for a few key people. Other than that, I don't think it's worth staying here for. Also, my mom's kind of made it clear she wants me to stay, but Papi said he doesn't care what I do as long as, wherever I go, I study. It may be too early to decide, so I'll keep it open for discussion. But I'm just not sure.
I miss you guys so much! Hope everything's going amazing in the great USofA.
Anyways. Newbold College is a place where liberty is for all, as long as the rules are strictly followed. Thing is, these rules are being enforced THIS year because of a new principle. So, curfew is a must, worships and Dean meetings are a must, NSA (Newbold Student Association) meetings are a must, etc. Not everyone follows them, and not everyone gets penalized. But if they have you on their radar, you'll get shot down.
I, unfortunately, am on their radar.
Not because I've broken curfew (which I have), missed worships (which I have), or been disrespectful (this I haven't done). Mainly because I am friends with old-time students- students who know their way around and understand what's accepted and not acceptable. I'm constantly making sure SOMEONE sees me at the meetings and that my name is taken down. How long have I been here?
Also, Edelweiss is the sisterhood here at the school. This is kind of a "rival" group of the Brotherhood (obviously... girls and boys). We have secret meetings, attack members of the Brotherhood, and we occasionally go out and be nice to them. I'm a little iffy about it, cuz I know if someone attacks me I'll be pissed. And since I'm an officer, it's more "points" to attack me and the other officers. Yay.
I'm still debating as to whether I should go to SAU next semester or what. If I do stay, it will mostly be for a few key people. Other than that, I don't think it's worth staying here for. Also, my mom's kind of made it clear she wants me to stay, but Papi said he doesn't care what I do as long as, wherever I go, I study. It may be too early to decide, so I'll keep it open for discussion. But I'm just not sure.
I miss you guys so much! Hope everything's going amazing in the great USofA.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Adjustments
This week has gone by in a blur, mostly picking up within the last few days.
My family left on Thursday around 3 am and I said goodbye the night before. It was quite the typical don't-disappoint-us-we-trust-you-stick-with-God conversation, but I had it twice with both parents. That right there sounds like half an hour I could have gotten back.
I started hanging out with Joseph, a Bahamian, and Bogdan, a Serbian. Every once in a while Nice, a Swede, would tag too, and possibly Dan, the only Brit. They all amazingly remind me of people back home. Joseph reminds me of Brian. But I can't seem to remember his last name! He used to go to FLA in 2005 and was always hanging out with Kendall Coopwood. Joseph and Brian are long-lost bros. Bogden is just like Sam, in that they joke around with a straight face so that you (aka I) don't know what's going on. Nice is a little like Alyssa. Super chill, very I-don't-care attitude, but yet so hilarious. Dan... well, Dan is the only one who doesn't remind me of anyone. Then there's Eddie, the French cutie that I strain to understand when he speaks to me. I try really, really hard and occasionally succeed in a five minute conversation.
I'm getting used to the lack of people here so that it's almost comfortable. You basically see the same people around. I used to feel a bit more watched but that went away.
Also, roommate is still a no-show. What is the deal?! I'd love to know if I'm alone or not. Problematic otherwise because I have half the room not in use currently.
I also got a UK number, officially making me a bona fide Brit (in my eyes). I think I might make it, folks. I think I might just make it.
My family left on Thursday around 3 am and I said goodbye the night before. It was quite the typical don't-disappoint-us-we-trust-you-stick-with-God conversation, but I had it twice with both parents. That right there sounds like half an hour I could have gotten back.
I started hanging out with Joseph, a Bahamian, and Bogdan, a Serbian. Every once in a while Nice, a Swede, would tag too, and possibly Dan, the only Brit. They all amazingly remind me of people back home. Joseph reminds me of Brian. But I can't seem to remember his last name! He used to go to FLA in 2005 and was always hanging out with Kendall Coopwood. Joseph and Brian are long-lost bros. Bogden is just like Sam, in that they joke around with a straight face so that you (aka I) don't know what's going on. Nice is a little like Alyssa. Super chill, very I-don't-care attitude, but yet so hilarious. Dan... well, Dan is the only one who doesn't remind me of anyone. Then there's Eddie, the French cutie that I strain to understand when he speaks to me. I try really, really hard and occasionally succeed in a five minute conversation.
I'm getting used to the lack of people here so that it's almost comfortable. You basically see the same people around. I used to feel a bit more watched but that went away.
Also, roommate is still a no-show. What is the deal?! I'd love to know if I'm alone or not. Problematic otherwise because I have half the room not in use currently.
I also got a UK number, officially making me a bona fide Brit (in my eyes). I think I might make it, folks. I think I might just make it.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
My First Day
First of all, I just saw a Papa John's pizza delivery guy. I now know I can survive in this foreign land.
We got to this grand country at 6 a.m. (BST time) and we were tired as heck. I think I managed to squeeze around an hour of sleep from the 6.5 hours it took to get here. I did watch Prince Caspian though. Good movie.
We rented a MASSIVE van that managed to fit all of our luggage (including my 8 suitcases) and all of us. Not bad. We're staying here at Newbold so I got a chance to look around. The school itself is pretty old and not really what I expected. The buildings look nice and cozy from the outside, but inside it looks like it could probably fall apart in the middle of class. The rooms are smaller than the ones at Southern, and I brought so much sutuff my mom's gonna have to take back some of it. Bummer much?
I also got to look at my room, and I half-met my roommate, Caitlin. The first thing I saw was the mess going on in that room, and mother was later quick to point out that I wouldn't be keeping my room like that. Ha... good thing I won't be living at home =)
So, basically I wasn't very excited to be here at all, but then we went to London. Oh, my darling London. For some reason I'm so drawn to that city. I absolutely love it. After walking around for about 5 minutes I was excited to be on this continent. I completely forgot every negative image I had of my future school and realized I would be ok!
So now I'm here at the school, catching up with people as everyone else is sleeping. It's currently 18:37... or 6:37. I'm gonna have to get used to that army time...
Love, peace, chcken grease.
We got to this grand country at 6 a.m. (BST time) and we were tired as heck. I think I managed to squeeze around an hour of sleep from the 6.5 hours it took to get here. I did watch Prince Caspian though. Good movie.
We rented a MASSIVE van that managed to fit all of our luggage (including my 8 suitcases) and all of us. Not bad. We're staying here at Newbold so I got a chance to look around. The school itself is pretty old and not really what I expected. The buildings look nice and cozy from the outside, but inside it looks like it could probably fall apart in the middle of class. The rooms are smaller than the ones at Southern, and I brought so much sutuff my mom's gonna have to take back some of it. Bummer much?
I also got to look at my room, and I half-met my roommate, Caitlin. The first thing I saw was the mess going on in that room, and mother was later quick to point out that I wouldn't be keeping my room like that. Ha... good thing I won't be living at home =)
So, basically I wasn't very excited to be here at all, but then we went to London. Oh, my darling London. For some reason I'm so drawn to that city. I absolutely love it. After walking around for about 5 minutes I was excited to be on this continent. I completely forgot every negative image I had of my future school and realized I would be ok!
So now I'm here at the school, catching up with people as everyone else is sleeping. It's currently 18:37... or 6:37. I'm gonna have to get used to that army time...
Love, peace, chcken grease.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Embarking
And so this thing I call my future begins.
I'm here at the airport, and a number of things have run through my head in the past hour. Since this is my blog, I guess I have the liberty of sharing my thoughts. How nice.
1. Airports are really not that bad of an inconvenience. I mean, sure, the government rules on what you're allowed to bring, how much, and why, but we are flying in their air. I have to admit, I thought air was the one thing you can't possess. Anyways. All you have to do is not come to the airport all blinged out with 30 pounds of jewelry (like the Jamaican in front of me who was screaming bloody murder because he had to take off his Jesus chain), wear easy to take off shoes, and be ready for a frisk. Not that bad to me.
2. I feel like I'm going on vacation. It might be a problem when all I can think of is all the trips I'll be making and not all the studying I should be doing. Then again, you stick me in a country I'm absolutely head over heels for, tell me it's only $40 to fly to other countries, and expect me to say, "Oh ok. Let me just get back to reading my How to be a Cum Laude College Graduate When it Won't Matter After You Graduate book." Right.
3. I'm with my almighty family. We, a Dominican family of aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, and daughter, are going to England. Right now as I look around those sitting at our gate, we stick out like a wounded, neon-colored elephant in the middle of a cave filled with lions that haven't eaten since the beginning of time. Everyone is white. Not only white, but English. My countrymen don't look too excited at the fact that they will be traveling for the next 12 hours with us.
So that's my contribution to society. I haven't focused at all on the fact that I won't be seeing my Dutch baby until December, or that Apopka and all it's excitement will be moving on without me.
Love you long time,
Me.
I'm here at the airport, and a number of things have run through my head in the past hour. Since this is my blog, I guess I have the liberty of sharing my thoughts. How nice.
1. Airports are really not that bad of an inconvenience. I mean, sure, the government rules on what you're allowed to bring, how much, and why, but we are flying in their air. I have to admit, I thought air was the one thing you can't possess. Anyways. All you have to do is not come to the airport all blinged out with 30 pounds of jewelry (like the Jamaican in front of me who was screaming bloody murder because he had to take off his Jesus chain), wear easy to take off shoes, and be ready for a frisk. Not that bad to me.
2. I feel like I'm going on vacation. It might be a problem when all I can think of is all the trips I'll be making and not all the studying I should be doing. Then again, you stick me in a country I'm absolutely head over heels for, tell me it's only $40 to fly to other countries, and expect me to say, "Oh ok. Let me just get back to reading my How to be a Cum Laude College Graduate When it Won't Matter After You Graduate book." Right.
3. I'm with my almighty family. We, a Dominican family of aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, and daughter, are going to England. Right now as I look around those sitting at our gate, we stick out like a wounded, neon-colored elephant in the middle of a cave filled with lions that haven't eaten since the beginning of time. Everyone is white. Not only white, but English. My countrymen don't look too excited at the fact that they will be traveling for the next 12 hours with us.
So that's my contribution to society. I haven't focused at all on the fact that I won't be seeing my Dutch baby until December, or that Apopka and all it's excitement will be moving on without me.
Love you long time,
Me.
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