The Art Of Packing To Go Home

With 10 days left before heading home, the packing has finally begun.

I consider packing to be an art, whether it's for a weekend trip or a long study abroad experience, although both ends are completely opposite as I have not yet mastered the short trip packing.
Start packing early! I am a procrastinator but will not procrastinate on packing. I like to have everything ready to go about 3 days in advance so you can enjoy your last days with friends. I have so many friends who complain they can't go out with the rest of us because they have to pack.... don't be that person! Live your life to the fullest for the last couple of days! (well the entire time, but especially before you leave! You're going to miss this place!)
Roll everything! Even your underwear, bras, and bathing suits! Rolling clothes provides much more space, however, if you're like me, space is not the problem; weight is the real problem. Airlines like to limit us to 50 pounds which is one of the horrible restrictions travelers must abide by. We try to stick everything heavy including shoes, hair dryers, and anything else into our carry on while trying to keep it pretty light to make our lives less difficult when walking from one end of the airport to the next for connections.
So how do we keep the check-in under 50 pounds, the carry-on light, all the while bringing back all of the souvenirs we've accumulated?

We throw stuff out! Yes, it's horrible but must be done. No shampoos, conditioners, lotions, toothpaste, or anything of the sort is coming back with us. Those 10 pairs of shoes you brought and wore 3 pairs the entire time? Yes, unless you didn't walk much, those 3 pairs are probably completely ruined and should be thrown out (This is where the crying starts). While crying, you might as well get rid of those nail polishes, stained, ripped, or torn up T-shirts, and anything else that needs to go. Don't be a pack-rat, your souvenirs are much more important than those nasty things you will most likely throw out when you get home anyways.
Check the expiration dates on all the medications you brought and didn't use. If they are bad, toss those out as well.
Now that you've made some extra room for additional "pounds", wrap all those shot glasses and valuables in plastic bags. Once they're in plastic bags, wrap them individually in different clothes so that they don't break.
Try to separate dirty clothes from clean clothes so you don't have to rewash everything when you get back.
Shoes go in the carry on bag to save weight in the check-in bag. Medications that you don't need on the plane should go in your check-in. Clothes, bras, underwear, swim suites, and sleepwear should all go in your check in (pack one outfit in your carry on if you don't have clothes at the place you are going in case luggage is lost).
Bring a pen (in case you have to fill something out), motion sickness meds, or any important meds with you in the carry on.
Reading books should also go in the carry on (if you've already read them, leave those at your "home" so that the next person living or staying there can enjoy them and it will be less added weight).
A sweatshirt and pillow are nice to have in your carry on so that you don't freeze on the airplane and can sleep more comfortably. (SMALL pillow)
Don't buy alcohols or your favorite foods before you go through security to take home to your friends! Buy those at the duty free and then you can carry them on and not have to worry about the 5 pound bottle of vodka you're bringing back.
Pack your computer in an easily accessible part of your carry on. You will have to take this out at least once to go through security and nobody likes to wait on the person who packed their computer in the bottom part of their carry on.
DO NOT BUY ANY LIQUIDS TO TAKE THROUGH SECURITY!! Don't bring wine and make sure your water bottle is empty! I've had so many people complain about not being allowed to take these things through security and the officers throwing them out in front of them... it may sound stupid but the officers will have no mercy on you and will yell at you (security officers don't mess around).
You can, however, bring an EMPTY water bottle to fill up AFTER you go through security to save money on water. With the cabin pressure on the airplane it is extremely important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight!
For the carry on, make sure it is a backpack or a rolling bag as it will be much easier to drag around the airport. You can also have a smaller handbag that can fit under the seat in front of you. An over the shoulder bag or smaller backpack is perfect for this. This would also be a good place to pack your laptop so it is easy to get out and you can also ensure that it is not getting tossed around in the cabin of the airplane.
Check in before you go to the airport to save time & bring your passport and a copy of your itinerary!
Finally, if all else fails: SIT ON YOUR SUITCASE!!! (it will eventually close... hopefully)

& I'm totally ready to come back to the states!!!
Chipotle, here I come!!

41 Signs you've been abroad in Europe too long

41 Signs You've Been Abroad in Europe too Long
Have you been abroad in Europe too long? If any of these apply to you, you have definitely spent a good amount of time in Europe... but hey! Europe is awesome! You're lucky to have experienced this much time in a foreign country!

1. You begin to use British saying like "cheers mate" or spelling words with a "u" that is not needed i.e. you're my favourite!

2. Coffee is no longer accompanied with milk, it's espresso or nothing

3. You grocery shop every day... fresher is better

4. You now call soccer "football"

5. You root for a european football team in the world cup

6. Facebook has become your main form of communication with your friends back home

7. Croissants and Nutella are your typical breakfast

8. You can't remember the last time you wore sweatpants and a T-shirt

9. Walking has become your main mode of transportation

10. You can't remember what an "American" size house looks like anymore.

11. You don't remember what it's like to have ice water at a restaurant

12. You daydream about Chipotle

13. Deep Fried foods are only a great memory

14. You've gained 10 pounds or more since you left home

15. Your wardrobe has slowly become filled with black, white, and brown clothes

16. You've stopped translating the currency into dollars when you buy things, the euro is now the norm

17. You now have a list of about 30 or more places you need to visit in the world

18. Normal selfies are boring... all of your selfies have a something cool in the background like the eiffel tower.

19. Paying 4 euros for a bottle of wine is crazy expensive to you

20. You don't know how to hang out with your friends other than going to a famous sight or a bar

21. Whenever you hear a bell, you move to the side as fast as possible so that a bike doesn't run over you

22. You're no longer surprised seeing a dog in a restaurant

23. You've begun to forget words in English

24. You don't remember what a cornfield looks like (well at least for the ohio folks where cornfields are your closest neighbor)

25. Your computer is running slower because of all the pictures you've uploaded to it

26. You dread packing to go home because you've acquired way too much stuff

27. You've forgotten that music other than techno is played in clubs

28. Staying out till 6 am on the weekends is normal

29. Central Air conditioning? Central Heat?... What is that?

30. You don't remember what American English sounds like... all the English you hear is jumbled by non-natives or is British English.

31. You've forgotten what it's like not to use a converter for all of your plugs.

32. You're not even sure if you know how to drive a car anymore

33. Heck, you haven't even ridden in a car since you've been there (except maybe a taxi)

34. You are completely broke.. really, where did all that money go?

35. "Fast food" is now going to a bakery and buying a sandwich

36. You've forgotten that there are stores open past 9pm back home

37. The beautiful architecture and churches around you are completely normal

38. You've gotten really good at charades thanks to all of those times you've had to use hand motions to communicate with someone in public

39. Beer or wine with dinner is normal because it's cheaper than water

40. You call the place you are staying in Europe "home"

41. & you can't even imagine what it will be like to go back to your other home... 

20 Thoughts of a Student Abroad!

20 Thoughts of a Student Abroad!

After being abroad multiple times, I have found there are thoughts nobody else understands except for those who go abroad for a month, semester, or year! I'm not talking about those people who vacation to the nice islands for 2 weeks and think they've been gone for years. I'm talking about those who go and fully immerse themselves in the culture for an extended period of time and who actually feel the highs and lows of being abroad!

From arrival to departure, below is a list of thoughts we have!

1. This place is beautiful, I never want to leave here!

    Upon arrival in a new country, everything is new, fun, and amazing! All I want to do is explore all day everyday and I begin to plan my future in the country! I never want to leave and I'm going to live here forever and ever!

2. Best Food EVERRRR!
    I never want American food again & I am going to try as many restaurants as possible! I begin going out and tasting these new foods, sure they make me a little sick at first, but who cares?! I'm only here for a little bit and need to try EVERY restaurant in this town or else I won't feel like I've officially lived here.

3. Architecture... HELLO BEAUTIFULNESS!
    Everything is ancient and beautiful with such details, why don't we have this in the states?! This will never get old!

4. Sweets for Breakfast?!
    Heck yes!!!

5. NUTELLA!!!!!
   Why hasn't this stuff become as popular in the states?! Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, and dinner.... there's always nutella incorporated!

6. WHERE ARE THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS?!
   Never pass up an opportunity to pee because public restrooms are few and far between, not too mention they cost money!

7. Why don't the toilets flush better?!
   There's never a normal "flusher" like in the States. I'll never take a toilet bowl filled with water for granted again... it flushes so much better!

8. Children who speak foreign languages are adorable!
   Although I'm a bit jealous of the children because they speak the language better than I do, they are absolutely adorable!!

9. Let's Explore the entire country!
    I'm in a new country so I need to take advantage of it and explore not only my city but every city around! I plan thousands of trips! Sure they cost a lot of money, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity right? I'll work EXTRA hard when I get home to make up for lost money!

10. The clubs here are awesome! 
    No matter how the clubs are, they are new and different! What happens in a foreign country, stays in a foreign country right? Even your phone stays in the country after it's been stolen or lost at some point during that night you stayed out too late.

11. Where did all of my money go?!
    I travelled too much, the clubs were way too expensive and that whole eating out all the time thing... What was I thinking?

12. Mmmmm, Pasta!
    After spending all that money, I'm going to live off pasta to make it through the rest of this trip. Survival 101 when broke: eat pasta!

13. I've gained SOOOO much weight!
    Sure the food was great and totally worth it, but did I really need to eat crepes with nutella every single day? 20 pounds later... that was probably a bad idea. Do I regret it? Absolutely not!

14. Where's the closest CHIPOTLE?!
     Like really though, why hasn't chipotle moved to every country yet?!

15. I NEED American food!
     I've been here too long and am sick of the food and want nothing more than McDonald's, Mac N Cheese, Peanut Butter, and Beef Jerky! OK, maybe not the McDonald's, but it's American and I'd totally settle for it! Care package anyone?!

16. I miss my car!!
    Although public transportation is awesome and saves money, I totally miss the freedom of driving my car wherever, whenever! Sometimes that drive through the country roads with my music blaring is just what I need!

17. I miss 24.7 stores and restaurants!!
     OK, call me crazy, but I miss being able to make a late night run to the store to get something or the ability to go to a restaurant at any time of the day (no more siesta hours from 12-3)! Steak N Shake at 3 am?! Yes please!

18. I miss my sweatpants & yoga pants!
    Being in a foreign country, I've realized America is such a lazy place to live where it is completely acceptable to go out in sweatpants or yoga pants. However, dressing "casually cute" everyday in a foreign country is the norm and if I went to the grocery store or class in yoga pants I would be looked at like I'm absolutely crazy!! I just want my lazy days back!

19. Where did all of my time go?!
     Wow I can't believe I leave tomorrow! It feels like I just arrived yesterday!!

& When you finally arrive back in America...

20. OMG I MISS IT! THAT WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!
     Although there were things I missed about America, I will never forget the amazing experiences I've had & I need to go back ASAP!!!

My Arrival in Barcelona: My Beautiful Apartment

My Arrival in Barcelona, Spain

"From Rags to Riches... kind of"

June 2014

Straying away from my typical blog posts of things to do in the different cities I've visited, I thought it would be nice to share my story of my entry into Barcelona, Spain after a semester abroad in Vichy, France.

June 7th, 2014: I flew from Charles De Gaule Airport in Paris, France to the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain in about 2 hours. Upon landing, I decided with all of my luggage that it would be easiest to take a taxi to my apartment. Luckily, my new roommate had mentioned that our program had sent a type in our address and sent me the correct address. I was thankful for her trial and error before I arrived, although I felt for her having to find it out the hard way.

Once the taxi let me out in front of my apartment, I immediately realized I was no longer going to be living in a tiny room with a single eye burner to cook on and a fridge that never worked. I was moving into a "Big Girl" apartment that was actually made for people to live in. The apartment building had an intercom, where I was able to ring my roommate 7 floors up to let her know I was there and needed let in. There was a beautiful entry way with mailboxes that led to an elevator (one that didn't look and feel like it was going to break at any moment). Stepping out of the elevator onto the seventh floor, our apartment was right in front of us. When she opened the door, there was a long entryway with a coat rack on the side leading to a fully stocked with utensils kitchen on the right. I honestly couldn't believe it. There was a microwave, oven, stove with 4 burners (3 of which actually work... but still), a ginormous fridge and SEPARATE freezer (not the kind that is a small box inside of the fridge that doesn't fit or freeze anything), a DOUBLE sink, and to top it all off, that led to a laundry room! Our own personal washer!!! I was amazed already and I had only seen the kitchen.

Moving further down the walk way, I stepped out into a fully furnished huge living space with a kitchen table with FOUR chairs AND it led out to a balcony! Whoa! Not to mention, we have an air conditioner that we can adjust?! We have a couch that even pulls out into a bed... I'm speechless!

Moving out to the balcony.... there was ANOTHER table!!! Someone pinch me, I think I'm dreaming! We can roll the blinds down to block the sun on our balcony! We also have a place where we can plant flowers... this is just so unreal! 

Did I also tell you that we have quite the view?! I'm no longer looking at a wall, but an entire complex of apartments and over the top I can see mountains in the distance! This is just craziness!

Still in disbelief, I decided to move on to my OWN PERSONAL BATHROOM! It had a shower/tub, toilet, and sink with a mirror and SHELVES!! I would no longer be putting my toothpaste on my sink or my shower stuff on the floor of the shower! I could even take a bath if I wanted to relax!

Finally, it was time to see my room. There was a window, and ANOTHER table with a chair that I could use for a desk, a bedside table with shelves, a lamp, and more closet space than I know what to do with and it was fully stocked with sheets, blankets, pillows and towels! I almost started crying! This was a dream come true! I could not have asked for a better place to live for the entire summer! 

Also, we have the PERFECT location in the city! We are just on the outskirts of the city and are able to avoid the tourists. We are right next door to a grocery store and a "euro store." We are a 2 minute walk from the metro line that takes both of us to our internships. Two blocks away are as many malls as a girl could dream. A block behind our house is the Camp Nou Football Stadium (Barcelona's soccer stadium). This is just unreal!

I'm still living this wonderful fairy tail and feel beyond blessed to have been given this wonderful opportunity. I am working in the center of the city and enjoying ever single moment of it. My roommate is the best roommate I could have ever asked for; she is kind, caring, intelligent, fun and we get along so well! I'm living my dream to the fullest and I hope I am helping others realize that they can do anything they put their minds too! I never imagined I'd be working in a foreign country in a million years, but I worked hard at finding a way to get here and was blessed with an incredible support system through my family and friends. I now know I can do anything I put my mind too through hard work and effort!

PS: If you're wondering why I'm so obsessed with this apartment and want to know what my old apartment in France looked like, check out my friend Allie's blog about our apartments! =]
Click here to Read Allie's Blog