Today is my ALL-DAY going away party! We are going to have a blast but at the end of the day it'll be bitter sweet!

intento numero 2! ES-pan_YIOL

I had my PJ's on real early today, like at 8pm, because its the only way for me to stay put in my house... I'm studying for my Spanish exam which is next Tuesday, June 1st. I don't want to fail it like I did last semester. I mean, it wont change my life if I pass or fail, but I want to do it for myself!

So I've been here bored out of my mind studying the subjunctive. I had plans to go to a fería tomorrow with a huge group of friends, but I think I might have to cancel to sneak in a few extra hours of studying. I wont have so much time this weekend because its my going away party! YAY!

Okay, I should get back to my Spanish books now..

adios.

life and photo shoots

Although I have a lot going on right now, and I don't mean this in a good way... my fiance and I managed to go on a 4-HOUR engagement photo shoot! It was my idea initially, and I was really excited about it, I bought a new outfit, thought out the theme in my head, bought a huge real flower for my hair and off we went. I only have one more week in Spain and I wanted to make sure that we had a Spanish/European photo shoot before we became New Yorkers, haha.

It turns out that my fiance LOVED it more than me, he is still talking about what a great experience it was.

I have to say, it doesn't seem like a lot, but we were exhausted afterward. We walked all over the city, climbed rocks and mountains, ran along the beach... phew... we have over 500 photos to choose from. We were selecting photos yesterday and we love them all... it's going to be difficult to decide on the final photos but we are really happy with the results. We had a magical fairytale theme going on, very trance/dreamy like, although we wont post pictures until the announcement is sent out and received because we don't want to spoil the surprise.

We are taking this one step at a time. When we are done with engagement announcements, we'll decide on dates and venues.

I wish the rest of my life was sorted out and as easy as this photo shoot was... only if...

BOOGIE BOARDING in Spain

I went boogie boarding in Fuengirola this weekend, it was awesome! It was my first time, and I cant believe I waited 28 years to try it, I think I found my new summer passion!

We were catching waves as my fiance was singing "everybody goin surfin, surfin USA" hahaha...

GOOD TIMES, I'M GONNA MISS THIS PLACE!

TWO more weeks in Spain

My time here is flying by. I only have 2 more weeks... AHHHHHHHHHHHHH... I'm going to treat it like a two week vacation!

anxi-CITY

I've been having major anxiety just thinking about going back to New York City. I dont know what it is about NY but it stresses me out, even THINKING about it! I have to spend hours and hours every evening relaxing myself here, menos mal that I only work a few hours a week, so I have a lot of time to myself for self healing and relaxation, because if not I would go crazy.

Oh City Life... maybe it's not for me...

stress & relaxation

I had a stressful day today. On the phone with people in the US trying to figure out all the logistics of my return, studying for exams, and looking for the perfect dress for our engagement photo shoot. IT WAS TOO MUCH FOR ME, especially after such an amazing weekend of fun with no worries in the world!

Then, I decided, I'm not just going to sit here and be stressed out, I'M TAKING A BREAK! So I went on a 6-mile-run up a hill and along the beach (this time by the water), then took a long cool shower with beautiful/sweet smelling shampoo and body wash. Made a HUGE salad for me and my fiance for dinner, and am now enjoying a glass of wine and listening to Mariachi Rancheras, traditional Mexican music. What a great evening it turned out to be...

:)

Romería de San Isidro en Nerja

I went to my first Romería! Now, if you all are like me at all, you're probably thinking, what the F is a Romería!

os explico...

Es una fiesta popular de pueblos donde todo el mundo se visten con trajes antigüos, comen comida tradicionales en honor de un santo que antiguamente creeían que el santo protegía el pueblo.

This Romería was in Nerja and their saint is Saint Isidro.

So we got to Nerja and we had to walk up a mountain to get to the woods. The party was in the woods and lasts all day and all night.

It's a TYPICAL TYPICAL TYPICAL European or Spanish party with Euro music and all! See the videos (I turned into a euro chic):

wedding dress shopping!

JOEeeeeeeeeeeee...

So here's how it went:

My friend Corey and I decided it would be fun to go wedding dress shopping. Not to buy anything, simply see whats on the market. I mean really, we haven't even set the date yet. The farthest we've come is deciding that we will have two weddings, one on NYC and one in Malaga because there are many people that wont or cant travel.

OKAY, that said, we wanted to try on Spanish wedding gowns!!!!!

It was such an eye opener! When I was standing on the pedestal and the woman was pulling the wedding gowns over my naked body and calling me reina (queen in Spanish), I though, JODER, this is really going to happen! I thought I looked like a princess with the European dresses on. They all had sort of a fairy tale look to them. I loved them all, all 20 that I tried on I wanted to take home!

Al final, I left with a deeper bond between me and my friend and an image of me as an actual bride.

wow.

hmmm...

Okay, so I have a fun job in NYC which starts in June-- and I found an apartment with outdoor space (a rarity in NYC).

I found English classes for my fiance.

I also booked my flight back.

Am I missing something??

I feel like I am.

Almeria: Cabo de Gata, Playa Monsul, & Desierto Taberna

We celebrated our 2nd one year anniversary this past weekend (don't ask). We went to Almeria, the south eastern part of Spain. It's a nature reserve which means that all the beaches are virgin beaches, very isolated and hard to get to with wild life all around us. We had to park the car far away (as to not disturb the natural environment, makes sense) and walk to get to the beaches, better for us, we practically had every beach to ourselves! ;)

VERY EXCITING EXPERIENCE. I felt SO lucky to be there and thought... does anyone even know these beaches exist??

I fall deeper and deeper in love with my fiance with every moment we share. This weekend was amazing.

This is a famous beach where Indiana Jones was filmed:

(here is a link to a MODIFIED version on youtube, you get the idea)



After the coastal tour, we drive inland to the desert which is called Desierto Taverna. Not many people know this but this is where most of the old Western American films were filmed. It was cheaper and the cast and crew preferred it because it is less than an hour away from the sea. We visited the set of the movie, still in tact. It was a weird feeling, I felt like I was back in time!

A video that I love, which we filmed this weekend. I want to share our happiness.


I recommend this trip to anyone that loves hiking, beaches and nature.
amazing time.

a reflection

When I was a little girl I used to love playing in the park.
Every time I went, I made a new friend with a little girl. I remember running around the playground with my new friend, my big long curls blowing in the wind and a huge smile on my face. I loved it. I loved every second of it, even when I fell and scratched my knee, I got right back up sometimes without a tear and kept on going.

I would have never known at that time that my attitude and my personality would continue through adulthood.

Instead of literally running in a playground, I use the world as my park. I meet people as I go and I enjoy every moment of it. Although it can be hard at times, I brush it off and continue on.

I saw a hidden abandoned park the other day, an old park, and it brought me back to my childhood. It all came flashing back to me sort of like what I would imagine it being like before you die. I stood there for a few seconds and took it all in.

I am blessed to be where I am today and it took a lot of courage to get here, a lot of strength, and a lot of great people that I met along the way to support me.

I always had a friend, no matter how hard it got. And I am grateful for all my friends, even the ones I played with for only one day.

xo.

BEE BEE cue

Our FIRST barbecue on our terrace with my future in-laws! It was A LOT of work preparing everything, but it was worth it--- it was for Spanish fiances moms birthday and for mothers day (which is celebrated in Spain on the first Sunday of May).

the countdown begins, mini vacay numero uno

A weekend in Fuengirola, my favorite mini vacation spot.

This time there was a group of us, we beached it out, swam, danced salsa in the sand with no music. At night we went to the feria intercultural that was only set up for one weekend, there were over 30 countries represented each with their own tent, live music, food and drinks. We spent most of our time dancing in Venezuela, Cuba and Peru. It was so fun, then we all had a sleep over!!! I feel like a giant kid sometimes!!

I have 4 more weeks to go in Spain and I am going to enjoy every second of it! Tomorrow we are going on another mini vacation, this time it's a surprise from my Spanish fiance, formerly known as Spanish guy! YAY!

( I like to show my outfits, fashion baby, fashion!!!)<-- I know, I know, I sound like an idiot!

ENGAGEMENT

I got engaged!

It's very special to me because not only have I found one of the best people that I've ever known with the biggest heart ever, but he is also the best boyfriend that a girl could have, he loves me to death.
I am lucky to have him in my life for the rest of my life.

SIDE NOTE: In Spain people don't get engaged, there are no engagement rings, they go straight to the alter. He did it the American way. This is unique because it was hard for him to find a traditional engagement ring, my ring is NOT Traditional, it's a simple Spanish ring and its beautiful! I LOVE IT!

I feel like I'm living a fairy tale, a real-life fairy tale. Whoever says they are not real obviously doesn't know our story.