Alicante Spain for the weekend. Is this real life?

real work.

My third week at SWIFT started very slow- not a lot of work for me to do but then by Wednesday I had a "To-Do" list with at least 10 items on it. My first priority was to edit the context and copy of four different online job descriptions that SWIFT was going to post on websites like Monster.com and Linkedin.com. The job postings were for general young college graduates, IT specialists, marketing positions, and finally designers. I had to word each job posting in a language that would be most appeal for each different job posting category. I also had to write two articles for SWIFT's internal website: one was about a new pension plan and the other was a reminder article about employees needing to set up a one-on-one meeting with their managers. The work seems really easy but honestly it takes a lot of research to figure out what type of language I need to write in to attract the different categories of people.

dream vacation.

Last Friday, June 10^th, Lisa, Jordan, Melanie (my roommates) and I left the real world and went on a mini vacation to Alicante Spain! We took a late flight on a cheap airline called RyanAir. I’m not sure if it was the beautiful destination we were headed to or if people were already in the vacation mind-set but the people on our flight were very...happy. They were laughing, cheering, clapping their hands... it was a bizarre experience. Every flight I’ve taken in the States has always been quieter and a lot more reserved. It was kind of refreshing to see happy Europeans.

The view from our hotel...thanks lisa for the picture! 

Once we arrived at our hotel, EuroStar: Mediterranean Plaza, in Alicante we could immediately feel the ocean air. It was glorious. It was so nice to finally be in a country where I could read the street signs and actually understand a restaurant menu.

saturday.

After sleeping in through most of the morning, we headed down to the beach and what an experience that was. The first thing you see at La Playa de San Jose is the crystal clear water. The water was a perfect temperature, not warm and not cold, just somewhere right in the middle. There aren’t any big waves to Lisa and I bought a green floatie and took turns relaxing in our 5 Euro investment.

I know I’m a beach girl. I’ve spent every one of my summers relaxing on a beach. So when it comes to beach, I’m usually in my comfort zone. However, there is one thing that totally slipped my mind while planning this Mediterranean adventure.

Topless beaches.

All I am going to say is this: Going topless on a beach really isn’t a big deal in Europe...it’s a normal act here. However, after saying that, I will still admit: there is no way I will EVER be mature enough to handle it. Never.

Anyway, after getting burned on the beach we took a much needed siesta in our room until dinner. Dinner does not start in Spain until at 8:30 at night so we took our time, had some Sangria and ventured around the city.

sunday.

On Sunday my roommates and I explored a castle. The more I try to explain El Castillo de Santa Barbara, the weirder I make it sound. To keep it simple: it is a huge castle that sits on a mountain right next to the shore line. It was a fortress that was used to defend Alicante whenever ships would invade the city by coming through the Mediterranean Sea. The views were amazing. We had to take an elevator because the castle sits so high up that it would take hours to climb all the stone stairs.

Castillo de Santa Barbara on top of the mountain. 

The castle is so big that it even has a restaurant. Since it was a very hot day and we were tired from all our exploring, we took a little break at the restaurant and ate much needed ice pops.

View from the castle. 

Once our three hour exploration of the castle was over we relaxed on the beach until dinner time.

After dinner, which consisted of paella, sangria, pasta and frits, we walked along the shore and shopped at little stores that lined the boardwalk.

spaniards love life.

Every street in Alicante is different but always full of life. Live music was everywhere. Family and friends were everywhere. Food and drinks were everywhere. Festivals and celebrations were always going on. One night there was fireworks...for what reason..I don’t know... I just know that Spaniards love to live and they love to have a good time. I definitely want to return to Spain sometime in this lifetime. It was beyond beautiful and definitely one of my favorite places I’ve ever been.

***pictures are posted on my facebook. Link to my facebook album.

Jersey Shore? Nope. It's the North Sea!!!

On Saturday, my diva-licious roommate Lisa, my obnoxious other roommate Melanie, and perfect me traveled 75 minutes northwest by train to Oostend Belgium.

getting there.


The train ride was... interesting. Before I start there is one thing we all must remember: life is about laughing through all the nasty stuff that always seems to happen. So anyway, we sat down in our big seats and clean smelling air....and not 10 minutes later we were getting kicked out of 1st class to sit on the floor of 2nd class. We had no idea there were different classes on a 75 minute train ride... also we did not know that the train station sells more tickets than there were seats so.... that's how we ended up on the floor of 2nd class. The Europeans laughed at the stupid American students sitting on the floor...we laughed at ourselves......it was a good time.

where's the beach. 


Once we got off the train we realized ... "Um...where's the beach?" Once we got our "wits" about us we followed the crowd and found the beach.

To answer the questions that I know my nasty-minded cousins are thinking:

No, no one was nude.


Yes, men wore gross speedos. 

Thing I learned about Europe: people have a lot less shame. Good for them. I cheer them on.

The North Sea was...like Jersey...pretty but not beautiful. The water was a lot warmer than I was expecting...it was about the same as the Jersey shore in late June.

As soon as I put my towel on the sand, I was fast asleep. No matter where I am in the world, give me some sand, some waves, and I'll be happy.

The boardwalk around the beach was crowed...a lot of kids...a lot of families. One thing I've noticed here is people do not hover over their children. People let their kids run all over over and they never say a word. I guess that's because the adults themselves do not say anything when they bump into someone. No "excuse me" or "pardon me".... they just glare at you like you did something wrong. As John our American advisor would say, "That's Europe."

That day was probably the best day I've had here. It was nice to have something familiar all the while experiencing something different.

update for SWIFT. 

Today was the start of my 3rd week at SWIFT. Melanie and I pretty much have the commuting thing down---well except for when we fall asleep on the bus and jump up asking "Are you sure this is our stop?"...

My assignment for the week is to update the wording of the job postings SWIFT puts on websites like Monster.com and Linkedin. The work isn't too hard--- its just a lot of creative writing which takes some time but I'll get it done.




*Pictures of my trip to Oostend are posted on my Facebook. 

SWIFT(ly) Adjusting.

My internship has begun and it truly is a learning experience. I was very nervous to start my internship at SWIFT because I have had no experience in the finance or banking world. However, just a few hours into my internship I realized that I was definitely in my element. So far I've written on a proposal on the usage of Twitter to promote an event that SWIFT puts on every year, I've written an article that will be posted on the company's internal website and I've proof read different articles.

Besides learning how to do the different physical work that takes place in a communication's team, I am learning about work culture. I know every company's work culture is different so I was prepared to meet some culture shock when I first started at SWIFT. However, being in a different country definitely intensified the shock. For the first few days I had to learn how to slow down my work pace. Back home, if I am given an assignment I am to finish it as soon as possible, at SWIFT, if I am given an assignment I usually have at least a week to complete it. It was a very weird concept for me to grasp and I'm still struggling with it. My boss actually got a little annoyed when I kept turning in completed work.

I am very happy with my internship, yes there are lulls throughout the day but for the most part I am kept busy and am included in all meetings and conversations. I feel very confident in saying that I truly believe that by the end of this summer I will have gained a much greater understanding in what I want to do in my professional life.

　

Culture shock is wearing off…I’m getting used to going into a store and not knowing what any of the signs say…. I’m getting used to the dirtiness of a city… the constant voices that drift up from the street…

　

I’m also realizing that living in a city is way harder than living in a suburb. If I ever live in a city I am definitely getting a grocery delivery service. When I go to the grocery store I can only buy enough food to fill my backpack so that only lasts me a few days. I think, so far, I’ve gone grocery shopping twice a week. It’s too hard to carry a million groceries down the street..and they also charge 10 cents for every plastic bag.

　

All of the Mizzou kids get along great and I really feel like we’re all enjoying each other’s time. We all love to hear about everyone’s internship and any new adventures we’ve experienced.

The weather has been amazing. I will say that I do not miss the 90+ temperatures in Missouri. In Brussels, every day is sunny and in the high 60s, low 70s.

This weekend was just another chill weekend...I really didn’t do much besides eat and sleep...honestly I needed it. For the first time in my life I have bags under my eyes…I think it’s from waking up four days a week at 6am. (I’ve vowed that I will never see 6am on a work day. I will do everything in my power to avoid 6am.)

The week is very tiring and to make matters worse: it doesn’t get dark in Brussels until at least 10:30pm. Its so hard to have a 10pm bedtime when the sun is just beginning to set.

On Friday night Lisa, Melanie and I went to the movies….yeah that was an experience to say the least.

We got yelled at by a very mean lady....we're always getting yelled at because we can’t speak or read French). But this time it was serious. Lisa thought we were getting brought to security.

What happened: After buying very expensive movie candy, we made our way to the movie. I opened the door to the theater and was met by a large audience staring at us. It was like a movie…slow motion…no sound…just an awkward pause… then suddenly a woman appeared and starting speaking very stern French to us. We started to giggle so that of course made her angrier. She then made us follow her…this is when Lisa thought we were going to jail…but really she was leading us back to the lobby by the candy stand.

I guess in Brussels, you buy your movie ticket then chill in the lounge area outside the theater until the movie attendants allow us to go in the theater. It’s a very weird feeling, Lisa and I both experienced anxiety because a huge line formed and we wanted to get good seats. Whatever…like I said…this week has been a learning experience.

We saw The Hangover II... or in Belgium its called…Very Bad Trip…I try not to read into it very much. The movie was in English but had French and Dutch subtitles. It was a really nice theater. We've noticed that a lot of stuff in Brussels is super new and so in turn really nice and clean.

Every day that goes by, being in Brussels gets easier. Everyone said it takes at least two weeks to get used to everything, and they were right. I just keep thinking about where my family came from and I remember if they can do it so can I. I am here by choice, I choose to do this and I will make it work.

For pictures go on my facebook...for some reason this website hates me and won't let me post any.

One Day at a Time...Except for this Entry...

One week of Brussels has almost past and it has been a hard week. My roommates and I have a had a lot of fun...it has just been a really challenging week.

The arrival in Brussels was very smooth- it was a long trip but really easy.

I've posted pictures of my "adventures" on facebook because for some reason the internet will not let me upload pictures on here...

Best part of Brussels so far is the different culture...but the worst part is also the different culture. Growing up in such a diverse family I appreciate different languages and I am comfortable sitting at dinner and not understanding a word that is being spoken around me...however...that said...being here is on a whole other level. 

Everything is in French. When I say everything- I mean everything. It is very frustrating but at the same time my roommates and I have learned to laugh at our mistakes and just make a joke out of our failures.

Lesson Learned: If I do not laugh at a tough situation I will fall apart. 

The weather is beautiful, it's in the low 70s everyday and perfectly sunny.

Tomorrow is the first day of my internship, one of my roommates is working at the same place as me so I'm sure it'll be okay. 

Packing...Holy Cow I'm a Senior...and then More Packing

I hate when blogs last forever and ever so mine will be very simple and probably not sweet. 

Last night was the last night I'd sleep in my bed for three months. Last night I realized I am a senior in college. Holy Cow where has the time gone. 

I've packed one of my suitcases which is all toiletries...because I'll admit...I'm very high maintence when it comes to what brands I use. I like special brands...as my friend Lisa would say..."I am very brand loyal." 

I am about to start on my second suitcase which will consist of all my clothes and shoes. I have no idea how I'll drag around two suitcases plus my backpack...but I guess that's part of the adventure. 

Tonight, Mike, Bear and I will leave CoMo for Naperville. The next 2.5 days will be made into the laziest days possible. 

My flight is at 5:45 Sunday night and I'll arrive in Brussels around 9:20 am. 

And the count down starts...

30 Days until I leave for Brussels...let the anxiety attacks begin.