Fast friends>>>>>
Found this picture of me smiling with the taxista! What a night! I think our troupe of young American girls was the perfect way to ring in his 51st. Even if it wasn't my real birthday that day.Felicidades/congratulations!
3.5.10
Taking it off
This Friday, my friends and I took a bus to Es Trenc, a long silky sanded beach on the southeast coast of the island, that is also nude friendly! All of Mallorca's beaches are welcoming to topless beach-goers, but this one invites people of all shapes, sizes and ages. After a few hours of swimming, playing beach paddle and a long walk along the shore I was inspired by my inner island spirit to follow suit, and I went topless! It felt empowering and natural. The one boy in our group of students abroad was glad to know that we have such a close friendship that I could comfortably go topless with him.
I can't say that participating in public nude activities is a new favorite of mine (i.e. nude sports, nude in the work place or at school or nude eating), but I find an occasional embrace of nudist culture to be healthy and fun, as long as the people I am with are comfortable and the beach isn't loaded with gawkers. I will have to find some top-optional beaches in the U.S. to let the euro ritual live on.
For interesting articles and info on living in the buff, visit this adventurous site that publicizes nude restaurants, family ranches and hikes.
(foreground: Bryana enjoying Spanish radio waves and UV rays
background: topless Annie praising the sea's salt air)
I can't say that participating in public nude activities is a new favorite of mine (i.e. nude sports, nude in the work place or at school or nude eating), but I find an occasional embrace of nudist culture to be healthy and fun, as long as the people I am with are comfortable and the beach isn't loaded with gawkers. I will have to find some top-optional beaches in the U.S. to let the euro ritual live on.
For interesting articles and info on living in the buff, visit this adventurous site that publicizes nude restaurants, family ranches and hikes.
2.5.10
Cooking in a Spanish kitchen ain't easy
It is Saturday morning, you have just woken up after many hours out dancing and few spent asleep, and you must put on a dress and prepare a luncheon for Spanish women (who are champs in the kitchen and are born entertainers).
This was the reality my friend, Bryana, and I faced this weekend. We are compiling a cook book/ restaurant guide as a year long independent study project and our two "madres" gave us cooking classes as part of it. As a small thank you to them, we invited them to an American style meal at my apartment and to not worry or bring anything. They expected us to fail or need their guidance in shopping and cooking, but we had them just where we wanted them. We knew we could somehow pull off a few basic recipes and wow them with our common sense and creativity.
First course: Mango, avocado, mozarella salad
Second Course: Burgers seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and stuffed with bacon and onions with a side of grilled vegetables
Third course: Chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches.
We enjoyed a sunny afternoon chatting and eating, but most importantly receiving praise for our talent in the kitchen. I have to admit that I was nervous up to the minute the doorbell rang, but the satisfaction of a hard-earned meal and their approval was worth the 45 euro grocery bill and the kudos we received from our madres.
This was the reality my friend, Bryana, and I faced this weekend. We are compiling a cook book/ restaurant guide as a year long independent study project and our two "madres" gave us cooking classes as part of it. As a small thank you to them, we invited them to an American style meal at my apartment and to not worry or bring anything. They expected us to fail or need their guidance in shopping and cooking, but we had them just where we wanted them. We knew we could somehow pull off a few basic recipes and wow them with our common sense and creativity.
(Opening a bottle of wine while the two mama's {Carmen and Antonia} pose for Bryana)
So that morning, we kicked my Spanish madre out of the kitchen, closed the door and told her not to return until one o'clock when we would serve and greet the guests. A little smoke and a slippery floor later, we had put together a three course meal that would make my mother's jaw drop. As an appetizer to pick at were potato chips (store bought and a must have at all Spanish meals) and red wine. First course: Mango, avocado, mozarella salad
Second Course: Burgers seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and stuffed with bacon and onions with a side of grilled vegetables
Third course: Chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches.
(Bryana patiently and politely waiting to dive in for her first sandwich)
1.5.10
prague-a-log in my blog
Prague is beautiful, ain't no denying that.
I flew up through Madrid Barajas to visit two childhood friends for a 4 day stay. These two girls were WONDERFUL HOSTESSES!
Sarah and Lauren on their way to class! Not so thrilled after a night out, but the sun was shining and we were reunited together in an the city with the most puppets per capita (fun fact)! We toured the shopping streets in the Old Town Square, visited the Lobkowicz Museum at the Bohemian castle, sunbathed in the beer garden of Park Letna, crossed the Charles bridge, ate at Clear Head vegetarian restaurant, drank blackberry brew... I don't think we missed a thing. Oh, but maybe the Jewish Cemetery, which my mom was upset about. In Old Jewish Town, it dates back to 1439 and is a must see (unless you are don't listen to your mother, like I did. But I'm sure I will see Prague again).
We did all that AND went out at night. Oh to be young.
We went to Radost, where Rhianna filmed her music video for "Please don't stop the music" and Sa Sa Zu which were both great places for drinks and dancing. I recommend Radost for funky beats and Sa Sa Zu for a Euro disco night out of dancing.
I left very satisfied to have seen where my two friends spent their semester, and experience the crown currency, pastel buildings and hop-on hop-off tram that were three characterstics of Prague I enjoyed the most.
I flew up through Madrid Barajas to visit two childhood friends for a 4 day stay. These two girls were WONDERFUL HOSTESSES!
We did all that AND went out at night. Oh to be young.
We went to Radost, where Rhianna filmed her music video for "Please don't stop the music" and Sa Sa Zu which were both great places for drinks and dancing. I recommend Radost for funky beats and Sa Sa Zu for a Euro disco night out of dancing.
I left very satisfied to have seen where my two friends spent their semester, and experience the crown currency, pastel buildings and hop-on hop-off tram that were three characterstics of Prague I enjoyed the most.
April: in a flash
Now that it's May, I think I will recap April's birthday festivites! According to Ke$ha (pop singer) "The party don't stop 'til I walk in", but my party requirement is that it don't stop 'til 8 a.m.
I celebrated with many friends on the island just like Lionel Richie has taught me well, all night long. Starting with the sun setting over Palma's port, we toasted to falling in love with Spain this year, our next year as seniors together and a promise to return to the island. We hopped in taxis (it was the driver's 51st birthday that day, so I lied and said that it was my actual birthday even though it was a week before as means of brightening up his shift and making a new friend) and drove up, up, up to restaurant Na Burguesa at the top of a monument site that overlooks the bay. Breathtaking views and great food and wine were enjoyed. A short spout of acid reflux set my stomach awry, but with tricks from friends I was able to overcome that obstacle before eating a surprise cake from Scuarcia (reaction photo above).
We called up my birthday buddy and drove back down to the Paseo Marítmo where bars were filling with tourists from yachts and cruises. The spanish locals made their way out to the scene around 1 or 2 a.m. and we were dancing along the port's boardwalk form bar to bar.
As the sun rose and the parties were still alive we headed home. Well, first we stopped for hamburgers and footlong sausages at Grillmeister with maybe a few rounds of fries to accompany the classic german delights.
I celebrated with many friends on the island just like Lionel Richie has taught me well, all night long. Starting with the sun setting over Palma's port, we toasted to falling in love with Spain this year, our next year as seniors together and a promise to return to the island. We hopped in taxis (it was the driver's 51st birthday that day, so I lied and said that it was my actual birthday even though it was a week before as means of brightening up his shift and making a new friend) and drove up, up, up to restaurant Na Burguesa at the top of a monument site that overlooks the bay. Breathtaking views and great food and wine were enjoyed. A short spout of acid reflux set my stomach awry, but with tricks from friends I was able to overcome that obstacle before eating a surprise cake from Scuarcia (reaction photo above). We called up my birthday buddy and drove back down to the Paseo Marítmo where bars were filling with tourists from yachts and cruises. The spanish locals made their way out to the scene around 1 or 2 a.m. and we were dancing along the port's boardwalk form bar to bar.
As the sun rose and the parties were still alive we headed home. Well, first we stopped for hamburgers and footlong sausages at Grillmeister with maybe a few rounds of fries to accompany the classic german delights.
12.4.10
Oprah's talent search
She better take my application seriously. I hear the O-mama is looking for a talk show host for her new network, and I am expecting a personal phone call and signing bonus.
My skills and how to apply them to my talk show future:
-Personable: getting to know people (useful for interviewing my show's guests)
-Educating others: about my opinions, world news and pop culture (communicating to public via national tv)
-Being blonde (like Diane Sawyer, Ellen Degen, Chelsea Lately, and Kelly Rippa) but I am a natural.
-Bilingual: much like cartoon sensation Dora the Explorer (cater to the large Hispanic population in U.S.)
-Youth: have the energy and time for a LONG career (less wrinkles require less makeup tricks)
-College student: (younger perspective/ generation- always keeping things fresh fresh fresh in show bizz)
-The list goes on to the nth degree of my qualifications.
Oprah, hear me out girl. I am the one you need and the one the world wants!!
8.4.10
Birthday Pre-game... more festivites to come
I turned 21 on Monday, April 5th and, because I have post-poned throwing a party, this is what went down.
I woke up and walked outside to find a sunny day in Palma and my friendly neighbors asleep on the street. I decided not to disturb this buddy- just snapped a little b-day shot, because I'm sure he would've wanted to wished me happiness if he weren't passed out from celebrating too hard.
A troupe of 5 girls met me at Dunkin Donuts where I took a double shot of caffeine (espresso), although I was naturally energized with excitment, and we headed to the bus station.
Kathleen and Kristen flew in from Edinburgh, Julia and Chase made it down from Galway for their spring break and Liz Collins wanted in on the fun, too.
First stop: We headed 30 minutes north to Valldemossa to see a remote town with a view of hills and farms. We got ice creams and local pastries and soaked up the sun.
B-DAY CONE! (note backpack with celebration beer for the beach)
Next stop: We took the second bus to end on the northern coast of the island in Deía. We quickly descended to the town's beach along a hiking trail and ate lunch on the rocks.
We took a walk along the cliffs for some more beautiful vistas and set up a timer between some rocks to get a GROUP SHOT:
We hiked back up to the town center and stopped at a restaurant for a group pitcher of sangria and relaxing before our bus ride back. In Palma, we threw on makeup and jeans for a chilly water front walk to Portixol, a small inlet next to Palma. We ate vegetarian and shellfish paella and my friends topped off the meal with a surprise white chocolate treat with a candle!
Who knew twenty one would make me so responsible!! Real party approaching. Beware.
I woke up and walked outside to find a sunny day in Palma and my friendly neighbors asleep on the street. I decided not to disturb this buddy- just snapped a little b-day shot, because I'm sure he would've wanted to wished me happiness if he weren't passed out from celebrating too hard.
A troupe of 5 girls met me at Dunkin Donuts where I took a double shot of caffeine (espresso), although I was naturally energized with excitment, and we headed to the bus station.
Kathleen and Kristen flew in from Edinburgh, Julia and Chase made it down from Galway for their spring break and Liz Collins wanted in on the fun, too.
First stop: We headed 30 minutes north to Valldemossa to see a remote town with a view of hills and farms. We got ice creams and local pastries and soaked up the sun.
B-DAY CONE! (note backpack with celebration beer for the beach)
We hiked back up to the town center and stopped at a restaurant for a group pitcher of sangria and relaxing before our bus ride back. In Palma, we threw on makeup and jeans for a chilly water front walk to Portixol, a small inlet next to Palma. We ate vegetarian and shellfish paella and my friends topped off the meal with a surprise white chocolate treat with a candle!
Who knew twenty one would make me so responsible!! Real party approaching. Beware.
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