Taking advantage of this spring break, a few friends and I went to tour the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves today. Starting off at 6 am, we thankfully made it to the random bus terminal in time. The bus terminal was inside/under a massive casino and we spent quite a while walking around the casino trying to find it. Traveling is so much easier when I’m just following mom around! Our bus driver was also the tour guide and as we made out 2 hour trip to our first stop in the Blue Mountains he told us some Australian history.. how lucky!

It’s spring break! Finally some time to deviate from the routine schedule of school and homework!  The teachers have been working us hard and this break couldn’t have come soon enough.

Deciding to study abroad is one big decision that brings lots of others of varying magnitude with it. Where to study; which classes to take; if, when, and where to travel…the list goes on and on. One of the choices that most affects daily life abroad, however, is your living situation.

I looked at my calendar today and realized it was April 17th. April 17th! I don’t quite know how I let over half of the month of April go by without even noticing (not to mention without writing a single blog post).

I am going to be completely honest and tell everyone that I had every intention of being a really great blogger for the month of April. But, of course, life happens as it usually does and between schoolwork, travel, turning 21, and a mean case of Tonsillitis, it was well into April.

The thing that I was the most sad to leave behind in the States when I came abroad was not my friends. It was not my school or my pets. It was getting to celebrate my 21st birthday in the United States (note: this was tied with missing my family..because come on, I still have a heart). I knew that when I went to a place where the legal drinking age was…Oh who knows. It’s Italy, apparently there are 14 year olds drinking wine over here.

I like pasta. I love pasta. I will eat pasta for every single meal (though not all in one day). Living in Italy, the shining capital of the carbohydrate world, was gastronomically a very wise choice for me. When I’m at home, my pasta frequently involves either alfredo sauce with chicken and vegetables, or carbonara with meatballs. A quick side note: I have yet to see either of those combinations served in an authentic Italian restaurant here.

The second half of my spring break was a childhood dream come true, I got to go to Paris! For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with all things Paris. The Eiffel Tower, crêpes, macaroons, their style, the romance of the city, everything. All I have to say is that Paris was everything I expected and more, and I cannot wait to go back.

Barcelona was amazing! I am so glad that I went there. Barcelona has many things to offer from laying on the beach to going to the markets in the Ramblas Blvd. I spent 3 days in Barcelona and I did so much. First I went to park Guell and to the Gaudi Museum. That was really awesome. The park has a stunning view of Barcelona and the Gaudi museum was spectacular and clearly showed his style and way of thinking. I then went to the beach. WOAH! Beautiful, amazing, stunning, gorgeous all words I could use to describe the beach and its boardwalk.

A few months ago I decided I would go Paris, Barcelona and Rome for spring break. I wanted to do a small tour of western Europe because I have never been in Europe and I wanted to check it out. So far so good! Paris was my first stop, I must admit I was quite nervous because I was continuously being advised to be careful about pickpockets, but nothing has happened and I am having the time of my life. Paris is a dream come true. The most impressive thing is its architecture. Most buildings seem to have an impressive gothic style.