Random Moment. We all have them.

Even though I started this blog with the intentions of only noting the places I traveled to and my experiences abroad, I figured.. why not take advantage of this thingy and speak on the randomness that flows through this overworked mind of mine.

Summary of my thoughts. ((who does this? lol. oh well))

Fashion.
Latest and greatest. 4 to 5 inch heels. Hot. Not wearable in Spain but definitely the stock of my rock back in the states. I always felt self conscious wearing such high heels because I always felt so extremely tall, but at 5'2, 3 to 5 inch heels do not make me tower over everyone. Because I live by the motto, "its not how tall you are but how tall you feel," I always forget that my 7 foot stature is of my presence and not my physical being.

Food.
I realized that grandmas cooking is only a delicacy when referring to a grandma from back in the states. No offense to the Spanish food lovin individuals out there, but Miss Phan is in need of some FLAVOR!!! No spice in her life in Spain. Literally. The only spice they have out here is salt. (AND I DON'T LIKE SALTY.) I hate to sound like a whiney spoiled American, but when your exposed to the luxury of flavored food like Mexican, Vietnamese, Roscoe's (lol), you can't get used to bland.

Fitness.
Because I'm shedding a couple pounds, unvoluntarily, (due to the lack of yummy food that I probably would end up over eating if I were home) I've expanded my work out routine. I figure since I'm losing the weight, might as well sculpt the body. Did you know..excercise improves the quality of sleep.. Well I know that's not rocket science but because those of u who know me know that I value my sleep, thought I'd share some knowledge for all you insomniacs out there.

Friends.
I spoke to my ladylove Quanice Hawkins today,(I know, I totally put you out there) and I realized friends are food for the soul. I didn't realize how hungry my lil soul was until she re-juvinated it with some of her TENDER LOVING CARE (yea.. Michael Jackson moment.) Friends fill in the gaps of your heart with fuzzies when everything else frustrates you. I love my ladies, I love my life. Mushy moment I know, but credit is given where credit is due, and I wouldn't be the woman I am today if it weren't for my love bugs.

And lastly, since I'm on a roll covering all the "F" factors...

Family.
Moms is commin into town!!! Shes gunna be out here spending spring break with me :) She's a trooper.. a ride or die.. a down for the cause type of momma. We are making our way from Spain to Paris to Rome. Updated details will be included after the adventure is completed.

This is a lil lengthy for my taste so I'll end on that note. Besides, who doesn't appreciate happy endings :)

Adios Amigos.

JUICED.

So I spent the past weekend in Salamanca. It is a small city in Spain. It has the oldest University of Spain there. It was a chill weekend. I enjoyed it. I got rest and was able to relax.

Next on the itinerary. MOROCCO. Yepp. Miss Phan is traveling to another continent. I'm soo juiced. Im leavin this Thursday.. woot woot! I plan on takin my suitcase practically empty because I know Imma be tryin to buy up the city :)

Well.. I'll stop braggin now even though I'm juiced so I don't get my excitement all over bumbed-bodies who aren't doing anything this weekend. Just remember this, I will take plenty pictures and send them out so you all can experience the magic with me. :)

I'll keep it short and simple... but if you guys could witness a glimpse of my excitement.. you'd know how ecstatic I am.... Africa.. who woulda thought. :)

All Smiles.

Happy information!

I am officially and "legitly" booked for Morocco. Woot woot. I get to go to another continent.. hay haaay! I would be able to say the same for Paris and Rome, but as I was booking my flights, bank security stepped in. My Debit card got blocked because they wanted to make sure it wasn't someone else tryin to travel the world with my money. I feel them though, can't blame them for trying to prevent Bob Smith from trying to be me. So hopefully, once I get the wrinkles ironed out I'll be able to legitly say I'm going to Paris and Rome for my Spring break!

Anyways update on my life. Schools cool. Working hard sometimes and sometimes hardly working. Its interesting. Different cultures = different styles. Its funny how many references are made against the US and Americans. Theres a class I am taking where it is nothing but Spaniard students except for Cynthia and I, and I'm not sure if the professor doesn't know or forgot we are Americans, but she as well as the kiddos, are always insulting America. Sometimes its interesting to hear what others think about our country. According to many, America is very dangerous at night. Not educated well. Dumb because they say we can take any major we want to become whatever we want. And lastly, I don't think they can tell the difference between any Asian groups because they call everyone Chinese. Different countries = different worlds.

All smiles. I am enjoying my time out here. It is flyin by so quickly. Every weekend for the next 3 months is booked. When I open my agenda, I can lay out my plans for every single weekend. From trips to cities within Spain such as Salamanca to Sevilla, or outside the country like London, Rome, Greece, or Germany, every weekend slot in my calendar has an location waiting to be conquered. I'm not ballin nor rollin in dough.. but I am well budgeted and plan on taking advantage of every minute, every moment, every day while out here because you only live once right.

Back in Action.

Soo... now that I've recovered my email access and password to this thingy, I'm back in action. Although I can't promise to write every moment on here, I'll try my best to give the scoop on the recent most decent data. Anywhos.. I went to Barcelona, Cadiz, and Segovia so far the past 2 weekends. So crazy how time flyyyyys. Barcelona was pure breathtaking. It was beautiful. For those who are slackin in their art status knowledge... no worries... I didn't know much about Gaudi, Picasso, or Dali either. Gaudi, whose work is all over Barcelona, designed a gorgeous cathedral called La Sagrada Familia. (GOOGLE IT.) Although pictures won't do it justice, you'll get a sense of it's unique-ness. I spent the days walking miles and miles (not complaining tho because summertimes commin and my legs will be fit.. HAAAY!) sight-seeing everything there is to see. After 2.5 days of pure non-stop escapades.. I can truly say I conquered Barcelona. (Not alone of course.. I had some ride or die lil ladies with me.) Nightlife in Barcelona was fun too, we went to a club called catwalk. It was a nice venue. Played nothing but hiphop. Half the time we were there, we couldn't help but wonder if the people knew what the words to what they were screaming actually meant. It was cute. All in all, nightlife was fun because I was with the ladies and we made it fun. As much as I don't want to admit this, its hard not to giggle or smurk when I see people dance out here because it's very different from what I'm used to. In other words, Everyone dances to the rhythm of their own beat.. which HAAAY... do what u doo!! (Its just entertaining sometimes :).

Well to end with Barcelona I must say, the beaches were beautiful! You could actually see fish in the water from the dock, which as opposed to our waters, your toes would disappear if you dipped your feet in it. It was a beautiful city. A must see if ever in Spain.

First stop. Spain.

As my bestests buddies know, I am currently studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. I been here for almost a month now and have already had plenty priceless moments. I've traveled to Barcelona (Which is GORGEOUS!) and I've traveled to Cordoba and Granada. Goodtimes.

I am here for 3 more months and plan on working my way up on the spots I hit up. I'm working my way from Morocco, Paris, Venice, Rome, London, than ending it with Greece. I never thought I would be blessed enough to be livin on dreams, but as I wake up every morning, I can truly say, "I'm livin it up and to the fullest." (( That really is what life's about.))

Anyways, before I get all ahead of myself, I'll backtrack on what has happened since my arrival. I love the host mom I have out here. Pure Preciousness! Such a sweetheart and she cooks deliciously. I am truly thankful for her. I probably would die of starvation if it weren't for her, because in all honesty, I think I can do without Spanish meals. Mexican or Vietnamese food on the other hand, I'd be done without them. Anywhos.. school is coo. Everythings in Spanish which has me steppin up my fluency level... polishing up the weak spots. Everything, (besides the food) is lovely. The people can be lightweight rude.. but heeey.. rudeness exists in all corners of the world.

Lastly, to end on a random note, ::: True Story :::

Thursday, February 19, 2009 ((dramatic music playing in the background))
Jessica Phan was MUGGED.

Well, technically, I'm not sure if I can call it that, but it makes it more interesting since it sounds rough.

So, Miss JP, Phany Pants, Jess, JPhan, or whatever you know me as, was leaving to Barcelona on a Thursday evening. I had to catch a metro (subway/bart/train type thingy) to get to the airport. As I was pushing my lil suitcase into the metro people kept kicking it because those trains get packed and everyones trying to squeeze in before the doors shut. While working my "rough n buff" self into train, I felt my lil purse/fannypack snatch onto a lady. Since I was raised well, I turned around to say sorry to the person I had tugged. I apologized to the woman, who was roughly 35-40 years old and took my place in the train. As I settled in, I looked down and my whole wallet was missing. Passport, $$$, I.d's, credit/debit cards, EVERYTHING. As soon as I looked up, lady was headin out the train. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT RIGHT?

Well those who heard my cellphone/Louisiana story probably can guess, but for the rest of you..

I went after her. I had to leave my suitcase in the train. It was wallet vs. suitcase.

Long story short, chased her down, grabbed her, got my stuff back, missed the train, recovered my stuff, and life is good.

Moral of the story, It pays off to be kind because if I would have never turned around to apologize to the woman for brushing past her, I would have never known who robbed me :)

Peace. Love. and Smiles.

Reason behind blogging.

Well. I would have never considered doing one of these (too much time on your hands type bloggie thingy), but a buddy-o told me I should do a blog to share my experiences while studying abroad. Since I've stepped my international game up some while I've been studying abroad.. I thought I would start one of these thingy's and share em with my lovebugs :) Besides, I know that despite how much we may try to deny it, we are all stalkers on the low at one point or another.

So for you Mr.'s and Miss's reading this, take it as what you will, but this will be my lil space where I'll place moments of my memories, thoughts, and whatever else comes up to keep my budbeauty's updated.. haaaaay now.. WOOT WOOT! :)