THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SEMESTER... OR NOT?

Hey Everybody!

I need to fill you in on my first weekend in Pamplona! After a hellish argument with the guy that works at the Train station about my numerous pieces of luggage, I finally boarded my 4 hour train ride from Barcelona to Pamplona. Somehow, I miraculously (and successfully) got my 2 heavy suitcases, computer backpack, and an impossible-to-lift duffle bag into my new apartment. Afterwards, I went to Lisa's (who lives like 5 minutes walking distance) to have dinner with her and her 3 friends from Belgium. It was a nice start

The next day I had a lonnnnng day of orientation. The orientation was nicely done with some brief, but important information nabout Navarra. We had a coffee and pastry break as well as a lunch in the little cafe at the school. Afterwards, we took a tour of the campus and of Pamplona. (I could have done without because it was COLD AS HELL). And then everybody in the program went to a bar to grab something to drink and take a break from the cold hellish weather. AT the end all of the groups met up to get pinxtos (Like tapas but smaller)at this bar until late. The first day was really good.

The second day we were supposed to go to San Sebastian... A city in spain that is about an hour awaay from Pamplona and supposed to be really nice with beaches (even though it's winter time) but there was like a freakin blizzard so it had to be cancelled. So Instead, a whole bunch of people in the program went iceskating. I went to lisa's Belgium friend's house for another dinner, and then a whole bunch of people from the program came over and we went to some bars in Pamplona.

The people in the Erasmus program (an international exchange with only people from Europe, even though the Americans are considered erasmus kids) are cool and I've met people from all over. Belgium, Germany, Columbia, Canada, Portugal, France, Italy.. etc.

As for academics (that's what i'm here for right?) I had my first day of class today. I only went to one class because none of the classes that I had planned to go to were possible and now I have to figure out a new schedule with the counselor. The one classs that I did go to was hard, and I'm the only american in a class of Spaniards and the teacher speaks really fast. It was awkward to say the least. I emailed the international conselor (with no response) and the counselors at home are NOT helpful. I'm going in today to see if i can talk to someone about the classes again.

I've enjoyed my weekend a lot but I don't know.. All in all, I'm thinking about coming back to Texas. There's really not much to do here in Pamplona, it's small and I think i've already seen everything. The landscapes are pretty with mountains and lots of greenery (or snow in this case). My roommates are nice, even though the language barrier makes me feel like the strange foreign kid that doesn't know Spanish. But my classes count in my GPA so I don't want to ruin it by spending my whole semester trying to figue out what my teacher is saying... I really want to learn spanish.. but i'm not sure at the expense of my grades and maybe even a little bit of my insanity. Also I want to avoid the vortex of only hanging ot with Erasmus students.. If I do that I won't learn Spanish.. and what is the point of being here? I miss you guys and my friends and UT (hook 'em) and texas... I had fun this weekend in Pamplona, but i know I could have a lot of fun in Austin as well. On the other hand,if I go home now without learning spanish proficiently, i'll feel like I've failed at my ultimate goal and I know I won't have this opportunity again (no matter how little there is to do here)and you know I can't have that! Anyways. I love you guys! UT classes start the 18th and my registration is the 14th... gotta decide FAST! Need a little guardian angel to tell me what to do! See you guys soon! (maybe sooner than later!)

Happy New Year!

Hello Beautiful People! Happy New Year!!!!

So there´s so much to write to you guys about. I kind of noticed that last semester I did a bad job... considering I had a 3 month gap in between 2 entries! haha. But no worries, this time it will be different!

This New Year´s Eve, I was supposed to celebrate it in Paris with Lindsey and her friend (a entry worthy blog in itself) :') Jerry Springer drama and evuuurythang. But I ended up going back to Barcelona to celebrate the New Year´s with Belen (my friend and GA that I talked about in my first entry!)

Let me just point out that I NEVER want to see a train again! I took the most roundabout way to Barcelona EVER since the trains were full. This is how hellish my trip back to Barcelona from Rome was...

Day 1:
11:00 AM--- Show up atthe train station
3:30ish PM---My train departs from Rome to Ventimiglia, Italy
12:00 Midnight---Arrive to Ventimiglia... wait around the station all night until...

Day 2
5:35 AM --- Ventimiglia to somewhere in the middle of france
2 transfers later.....
10:00 AM Arrive to Nice, France... Do nothing in nice until....
8:00 PM Nice to Irun, Spain

Day 3
12:00 PM--- Arrive to Irun, Spain
4:00 PM Irun to Barcelona
10:00 PM FINALLY IN BARCELONA

Anyways... what the hell!

So, Once i came to Barcelona I got to celebrate my first NYE...Spanish Style!
When I arrived, Belen and her dad picked me up from the station. Once we got to the house, her mom prepared a huge dinner! The whole family was there, It was a lot of fun.

I just want to say that I LOVE their family. Wish I could replace my hostmom with them! Her dad is so nice. He always has a funny and interesting fact.. Even though my responses are limited by my vocabulary he still he doesn´t care and is just excited to tell me anyways. Her mom was so sweet, a fast talker (kind of like mama carter), and is just so kind. Her sister is studying in scotland and knows english like Belen. And she also has a brother who is nice but I only see him when he comes out of his room to eat. haha.

They taught me about the spanish tradition on NYE. In Spain the tradition is that on the countdown til 12, you have to eat a grape each time they ring a bell. There are 12 grapes that you have to eat in all. Afterwards... HAPPY NEW YEAR or.. FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

Afterwards, Belen´s sister took us to her friend´s get together. We danced and sang to a lot of 80s american songs! Everybody´s gotta love Madonna I guess! Even the Spanish!

Unfortunately, I became sick with the stomach flu. So her family had to deal with my bodily fluids everywhere... How Embarrassing! That lasted a good 2 days.. with an aching stomach on the 3rd day! But her parents were so kind and helping. I Probably couldn´t have lasted without them.

All and All, my visit at Belen´s has been a blast. It´s like a host family that I´ve always wished that I had! I´ve done so many cool things with them. We went to the medieval markets and to the nearby beach today. I went to the reyes magos parade with Belen last night. Just a great environment. It´s a good way to end my experience in Barcelona.

Tomorrow, I´m packing my bags and heading for Pamplona. It feels weird leaving Barcelona now but I´m excited. Just wondering how i´m going to survive my move with all of this luggage that I have....

Christmas Break

Hello Friends and Family!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope all is well with you. It has been a long time since I have last written in my blog. I have to make it quick because these internet cafes aren't cheap! haha
I just wanted to tell you guys that I miss you all so much. I always wonder what you guys are up to at the moment or what funny stories you guys will be telling at Christmas dinner. Mom, we gotta have a make up thanksgiving dinner in June... I didn't forget!!!!!!!!

Right now i'm Florence. It is beautiful. I finally got to see the famous David by Michelangelo.. I always thought that the name was just famous because of ninja turtles.. but whatever. Guess it has some type of Cultural/artistic meaning.. or something of that sort!

Nice, France was beautiful.. just a really nice beautiful city in france! Guess I finally have a chance to brag about being on the French Riviera. Venice is WAAAAAAAAAAAAY cold and expensive but beautiful! Genova is a amazing and beautiful as well! The people are just really nice there. Both nights random people at other tables just talked to us, offered us wine, and paid for our meals... Wish this happened in america!!!!!!!! Tomorrow I'm heading to Rome for Christmas. After that I'll be in Paris (also going to see Versaille) to celebrate the New Year. And Last but not least... Marseille!

After Marseille, I am back in Barcelona for a couple days. My friend/GA, Belen, has invited me to spend my last couple of days at her her home to hang out and meet her family. I am SO excited to meet them all. I feel like I have a caring Spanish friend and I just really appreciate her generosity and her as a friend, something I feel like i have struggled with here. It was just kind of hard to have Spanish friends here!

Anyways... Let me know what you guys want as presents... It makes me stressed b/c I want to make sure you like them! Love you guys! I hope you guys have a wonderful christmas.. and don't forget about me because you guys are always in my thoughts. Please be safe and I love you!

P.S. Stef, Star, James.. are you guys still visiting in Pamplona?
Love you guys!

Hola a todos

Thank you everybody for your concern. I am finally feeling better and happier than ever! As Star would say... I am finally getting acclimated to Spain! I have a confession to make. After 20 years of living on this earth and convinced that I'd never find love... I have finally found it! I love Barcelona, and Barcelona loves me back!!!! I've finally gotten an appetite that has never been so strong. I want to devour the city of Barcelona, haha. Okay anyways...excuse my EXTREME lameness at the moment.

I can honestly say that I've had an magnificent weekend. This past weekend Lisa came to visit me from Pamplona. It was good to be able to share "my new city" with someone. I made sure to take her to as many places that makes Barcelona the breathtaking place the it is! One the first night, we met up with some people from my program at this place called La orella negra (The black sheep) so that we could go enjoy some Spanish Sangria.It is here that I met my "First" Spanish Friends! (They're so nice!) This is a big event in my life! For I was starting to question my ability to make Spanish amigos!

Friday, we walked along the streets of Passeig de Gracia so that we could find something to eat, shop in the stores a bit, and view some of the Barcelona's world renowned landmarks. Lisa's friend Felicia came and I called my friend Katie to meet up us. We all ran into this adorable little tapas place called Qu Qu that had DELICIOUS food. Afterwards, I took her to see all of the magnificent works of the great Gaudi. First and foremost, may I say that Gaudi is THE MAN. He was truly a genius beyond his times. It's a shame that the most talented individuals died so young. Many of his works are still unfinished. I don't think he ever would have thought millions of people come to Barcelona everyday just to see the Sagrada Familia or to experience the magic in Parc Guell. It took only ONE man to add visual depth and culture to a naturally beautiful city.

Just to let everybody know. That I'm excited that I'm using my Spanish. I hung out with two Spanish boys the other day. In two days, I feel like I've learned soooo many useful phrases and immense amount of information about Spanish culture. Also, I started speaking in Spanish to this girl who lives on my floor. She has graciously agreed to speak to me in only spanish while we're cooking and eating dinner! Also, I was complimented the other day by new friend,Eric, who said that my Spanish was better that many Americans he's encountered. Today, I met up with my GA, Belen for churros con chocolate and I wrote down a lot of phrases and learned so much. Last fub tnot least, a friend of mine who I salsa with lived in Barcelona for a year as well and has some friends that she wanted me to meet. I got in contact with her friend MArta who was soo sweet. She was nice enough to invite me to hang out with all of her friends. She's REALLY into Salsa dancing, so I KNOW that we'll get along. I called her and it was a little nerve wrecking to talk to her over the phone. She knows absolutely no English so it's going to be VERY good for me. We're meeting up this weekend to probably have dinner and she's going to introduce me to all of her Salsa friends that live here. I'm SOOOO excited. The language of dance will be our commonalitiy.

I'm excited to write to you next time b/c all next week (Starting this Wednesday) is the start of the biggest festival in Barcelona....La Merce! There's lots of concerts (I know the hives are playing for free), human castles (a catalunya tradition), Running with fire (not me of course haha), Fireworks, and parades to come!


Guys I hope everything is going well with you guys. And I think about you all everyday. I wish everybody would online chat me :-).

LOVE YOU ALL-- Picture are up as well! Here is everything from my trip thus far.
http://picasaweb.google.com/SharCarter811

Llamada de emergencia!

Hola a mi familia,

WARNING: Will not be the happiest blog entry in the world.

I emailed everybody and gave a quick update on my wellbeing. At the moment I'm okay. My stomach is still bothering me but I somehow managed to stomach 8 crackers and sprite tonight. There are some new things that are not normal that definitely made me want to seek out a physician. Last night, my heart started pumping really fast while I was lying in bed. This morning, on my attempt to reach class today (I wouldn't have ever tried if I didn't have a test), I was EXTREMELY tired and had to take a break every couple of steps because my heart was beating fast. I was out of breath like I was in the fourth quarter of a basketball game. Now I'm no Lance Armstrong, but I'm not pulling a Robert from "Hell's Kitchen". Taking the stairs made me very long-winded as well (this is not normal).

After class, I ran into my friend Laura who offered to go with me to the doctor's. She had been sick before and knew exactly where the office was. She was a really such a huge help to me. When we got to the Doctor's office (which is the most awesomest office ever), he said that he couldn't find anything wrong with me. Everything appeared normal.. he thinks that maybe there is a viral infection. When I told him about the urine, he was definitely concerned that it had something to do with my liver. But he determined that this was not the case. He said that in a couple of days if I am not getting better he'd like to take some blood/ urine samples.

On my way home, I was tired and out of breath, which I have growned accustomed two these last two days. I took a sip of sprite I had bought and had the WORST heartburn in the world... I had to sit in the street on my knees for like 5 minutes. I thought I was having a heart attack at the age of 20. Good thing Laura was there to help! But thankfully, I took another small, extremely cautious sip... and everything was okay again! Hope all is going well with you! I'll keep you updated on the next doctor's visit (hopefully I won't need one)! Stef (and Mom occasionally)... thanks for replying! At least I know someone is alive in the Carter family! Oh yeah and Stevi from FB chat! I feel like a helpless orphan with no love from the outside world...

COMIIIIIIIIIIIDAAAAAAAAAAA

Enchiladas, Tacos, Arroz y frijoles, Fajitas, Queso Especial, Tamales, etc.
If Spain had all of these things I would die a very happy lady. But they don't.....
I feel like I'm on Deathrow. My punishment--being denied the succulent, delectable, mouth-watering foods I am so used to eating back home. Oh Tex-mex, how I've missed you.

Ahhhhh and the pizza. What I would do to sink my teeth into an enormous slice of pizza from Mellow Mushroom (sorry James, I know you hate that place). I would give the clothes off of my back. Seriously, did I sign up for the wrong program? Am I really with CIEE or am I on Survivor?

Now, I pray you don't take this the wrong way. If I were to completely deny myself of the food and culture of Barcelona, I would be denying myself part of the experience of being abroad. I have tried A LOT of different foods while I've been here. I've liked a few things, but what can I say? I just miss the greasy overly-processed foods of America. I even tried a lot of seafood (most people know that I draw the line after fishsticks). This is how I discovered that I'm EXTREMELY allergic to mussels (I won't get into that story).

I've lasted almost two weeks...but can I last a whole Academic year?? I think not my friends. I guess I won't have to worry about fitting into my Bridesmaid dress in a month. I can't wait to come home for those three days and stuff my face RIGHT before the wedding (bad time to do that).. At the moment, I don't really care about my goddess-like figure (just kidding).

Pray that I find something good to eat.

Sincerely,

Sharmaine Carter

Mi Primer Dia en Espanya!

Hola a todos!
Sorry I haven’t gotten a chance to write a real letter to you all! I pray that you won’t get bored because this is going to be a long one starting from ground zero—the airlines. I nervously waited to board the plane to this International Dutch airlines called KLM. Once I squeezed all of my luggage and took my seat in this gigantanormous monstrosity of a vehicle, I knew I’d have to suck it up and endure the pain of sitting in a cramped area for half a day’s travel. Thank GOD for “How I met your mother” and “Madmen” because I couldn’t have made it through the long hours and DISGUSTING airline food. (A blogworthy description in itself). Ironically, this distaste for the food would continue beyond the travel and carry on through my entire trip thus far in Barcelona.
Once I got off, I endured 2 more hours of complete confusion, being lost, and not knowing what to do. Finally I found the CIEE meeting point where not a living CIEE soul had arrived. Soon afterwards, 4 girls approach the statue as well. All had more luggage that I did for only a semester’s time of living. Little did I know they would turn out to be the closest friends that I’ll have here. After discussing the excitement to come, two Spanish people from the CIEE program arrive—our “Angeles de la guardia” (Guardian Angels). A girl named Belen—who is a very petite, sweet girl with a hard indie edge and Borja—an adorably cute young man who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.
We ironically step up to a HUGE bus and fill in the first 7 seats. Driving along the street s from Barcelona to Sitges, I resisted the urge to take pictures because the vehicle was moving so fast. About 30 minutes later, we arrive to San Sebastian hotel right off of the shores of Sitges Beach. It is here where I meet the program director, a sweet Spanish woman named Elena that is very warm and welcoming. Finally I unload my things after a long, exhausting flight and head downstairs for Orientation. The orientation is long but seems to fly by because of the novelty of being in a new country. During orientation, I meet all of the people that I will be spending the next four months with. Everybody seemed to be fun and laidback—my type of people!
We’re given a short break to explore all of the things that sitges has to offer and are told to meet back at the hotel for dinner. First, I’ll just have to say that Sitges is an AMAZING place. It’s a very old told with indescribable beauty. Sitges is primarily known as the upcoming spot for gay men,but there seems to be so much love among the people. I can imagine growing old there and raising families. Finally after exploring Sitges, everybody meets up for dinner and enters this elegant room in this beautiful hotel. Although I've heard both positive and negative things about the food in my “future” country, It’s sad to say that I HATED it all. This trip will end in hunger and I’ll have to survive on bread. :-O. Little did I know how little I’d be eating these next couple of days in Spain.
Any person would assume when you are put at a table full of strangers that you’ve met and known for only about 2 hours, it would be awkward as hell. Any person in their right mind would try to avoid this situation at all costs. However, the kids in my program remind me a lot of the people I hang out with on a daily basis in Texas. There was a dynamic at dinner that made me feel at home and comfortable with the people I was with. Conversation and wine was a-flowing and dinner ended with enthusiasm for the semester to come. After “dinner” (if I can call mine that), we all went to the sitges beach to just walk around and talk. It was an exciting night as our first night was about to come to a close. I can honestly say that my first night in Sitges, Spain ended in success!
Continuation of my days in Barcelona will soon come!