Studying abroad through Temple’s program in Oviedo, Spain has already proved to be SUPER rewarding.  My Spanish is improving (at an amazing rate) and I am having the experience of a lifetime.  The nearest beach is only 15 min. by bus in Gijon, Spain and is absolutely gorgeous.  Genuine Spanish food made by my host mother, and great professors.  My only complaint?? Hamburgers in this country just don’t compare to an American burger!!

Here are some pics from Oviedo and Gijon…

<3 Chelsea

I had a fabulous 5 day get away to Salamanca, Spain and Coimbra, Portugal.  We couch surfed in Salamanca (so spontaneous!) and stayed with a friend in Portugal.  Plaza Mayor in Salamanca was beautiful, but the Cathedral was breath taking.  In Coimbra we found a great flea market and bought leggings (2 pair for 5 euro!) along with shoes : )

We had great, traditional Portugese food and enjoyed walking all over the beautiful sidewalks that line the streets of Coimbra, they are made with beautiful designs and symbols.  If I could pick one favorite thing from this trip it would be the memory of a picnic and siesta in the sun while in Salamanca–Que Bonito!

<3 Chelsea

So I am currently in Oviedo, Spain enjoying the beginning of this semester!  However, before I arrived in Spain I visited Dublin.  I have been slacking on posting photos beacsue internet access was difficult for a while, but here are the updates from Dublin and also from Spain.

I only had 15 hours in Dublin so I had to make the most of it.  I saw the Temple Bar, went to Trinity College, saw The Book of Kells, and St. Stephen’s Green.  It was wonderful!  A sunny day, but REALLY cold.

<3 Chelsea

Break has been so good to me, and Santa was exceptionally good to me this year.  I would say Rock Band was the “must have” gift of the holiday season in our house (as you can see!)  Other highlights? A Pandora bracelet and some Euros for my upcoming trip!

Honestly, I think my family may be one of the most fun out there…

Happy New Year! <3 Chelsea

And the winner is….Abby C!  For this holiday party we had an “ugly holiday sweater” party.  Of course we all told our Moms and Grandmoms that it was a “festive holiday sweater” party and to give us the fanciest sweater they had!  Mine was complete with jingle bells and all, but Abby C. won for ugliest sweater.  She most definitiely deserved the prize, her turtle neck alone probably would have won her the award.

We enjoyed a pasta dinner and painted holiday ornaments–which went better for some than others.  Niki had a hard time gettting her glitter to stick, I over painted the inside of my ornamanent, and the one labeled “mom” was my favortite!  After the party, a few owls and I went upstairs in the TECH center in order to showcase our FABULOUS sweaters and spread some holiday cheer to those working on finals.  We got a few good responses and a laugh or two…

Happy Holidays! <3 Chelsea

Ok, so now that finals have ended I can start to seriously get into the holiday spirit!  I decided I would like to watch a Chrsitmas movie everyday until Christmas (which will never happen) but there are SO many greats that I haven’t seen yet this holiday season.  Here are a few of my ABSOLUTE favorites (because really I love them all!)…

I have watched Charlie Brown already and will see A Christmas Story on Chrsitmas Eve.  Hopefully I find time for the others!!

Happy Holidays! <3 Chelsea

I am leaving for Spain very soon and could not be more exctied!  I will be leaving for the entire semester and will be taking 5 Spanish classes while I am abroad.  I am mostly excited to start speaking Spanish again and return to Madrid.  The last time I was in Spain I cried hysterically upon departure and said to myself “someday I will be back here” and now I am finally going back!! It feels so wonderful to know that this trip has finally come together and it definite…nothing is going to stop me from getting to Spain!

The stress of finals and traveling has come and gone… and I am purely exctied to see what this trip has in store for me.  Of course there is still alot of prep work to be done but luckily I have wonderful friends to help with that.

Adios for now! <3 Chelsea

Each year around the holidays, my friends and I host a “formal” party.  We all get dressed up, no jeans allowed, and just really enjoy spending a night full of memories and laughs from the year.  This year we (the ladies) went dress shopping together at KOP and had such a great time preparing for the party.  To make things even more exciting, the party was also on the eve of two of my best friends’ birthdays!  We spend the night playing games and laughing. Nothing like friends to bring a smile to your face.

<3 Chelsea

I went home to MA for Thanksgiving break and was able to spend lots of time with the fam.  My brother made the All Star Football team for our town and had a game while I was home.  I was thrilled to finally watch a game of his in person because I typically have to watch video taken by my Dad (which can be quite painful).  We also drew names for Christmas and I am very excited to do my Christmas shopping!  I celebrated the start of the Christmas season back in October when it first got cold, but in order to officially begin the Christmas season I participated in the mayhem that is Black Friday in the US.  I always go shopping on Black Friday, and this year was no exception.  My cousin and I got up at 4AM and went to our local mall.  Much to my surprise the crowds weren’t  too bad, but the deals weren’t great either.  Overall, totally worth it.  I got lots of new shoes and clothes for my upcoming journey to Spain for the Spring Semeser.  Only 35 days until I leave for Spain!!

<3 Chelsea

Denise came to visit Philly for the Model UN Conference held at the Doubletree hotel in CC.  I was able to show her around philly and get her a real cheesesteak.  At home in MA she and I call them “steak and cheese,” I learned very quickly that they are CHEESESTEAKS. 

<3 Chelsea