dedication

It has occurred to me that since I do not keep a diary, aside from pictures my blog will be the only record of my time in Spain... so therefore I want to post more frequently. Of course this will mean shorter posts, and perhaps entries that are not the most interesting. From now on my purpose will be to keep track of my life here, so that I can remember in the future. :)
This past weekend I went with Ignacio to Valencia to visit our friends Sarah, Borja and Luis. It was really fun and a change to be around people 24/7. On Friday afternoon we hung out and relaxed a bit in Sarah's apartment, then later went to see the Mediterranean Sea. I can't wait to go back someday when it is warm and I can swim! That evening we met some of Sarah's friends and all went to a popular bar with an outside terrace called "100 Montaditos." Montaditos are like tiny little sub sandwiches (like 3.5" X 1.5") and there are 100 different kinds on the menu. The least expensive ones are 1 euro and the most expensive are 2 euros. This is really great because you can try all different kinds without spending tons of money! That night I had 4 (relax, it was my dinner): shrimp with allioli, spanish omelette with allioli, grilled chicken with sauce, and BLT (sort of). They are warm and so delicious! 
Saturday was a day of walking. Downtown Valencia is beautiful, and there are lots of great parks, old bridges, and an ENORMOUS group of modern museums. Sadly they cost about 25 euros a piece to enter and I am poor. The city also has this incredible bicycle system - for only 18 euros a year you can take any bike from the various stations throughout the city and ride on the specially made bike paths. All include a basket on the front as well. I want that in Madrid!

http://www.valenbisi.com/

Sunday was a day of relaxation and then going to eat a lunch of paella, salad, pork, bread, and ice cream - all for 5.50 euros! Chinese people give good deals. 
Also, Sarah and I spontaneously decided to buy tickets to Milan, Italy this weekend, 4 days before leaving because we have a 5 day weekend. No big deal. I leave on Thursday and I'm kind of freaking out.
Today is my birthday. I'm now 23. That sounds like an adult, right? Don't let the number fool you. Yesterday I got a package in the mail from my mom. I'm pretty sure my mom could be a professional box packer because she fits insane amounts of items into one small box. You know those flat rate boxes you can get for free from the post office? She sent me a medium flat rate box that had the following items:
Full size jar of peanuts, small french press coffee maker, 3 mini coffee bags, creamer packets, Mentos, 6 FiberOne bars, 2 healthy candy bars, 2 Fastbreak bars, 2 energy bars, candy, a box of brownie mix, icing, sprinkles, a jar of peanut butter, 2 mini cans of Diet Dr. Pepper, gum, playing cards, a little pumpkin thing, and possibly something else I'm forgetting. I'm so impressed. 

I'm currently doing laundry to prepare for Italy, then I'm going to workout*, shower, do some homework, and go to the Bonet's to make brownies.


*I tell myself this everyday and it actually comes to fruition about, errrrr, maybe 20% of the time. I need Stephanie Durell! Therefore the title of this post refers to my henceforth efforts to be more committed to my blog, exercising and various other life-improvements.