Internship and Other Things

I've got two weeks left here in Barcelona and time is going extra fast. I know I am suppose to live it up until I have to leave but my excitement to see my friends and family again after half a year of being away is just bursting out of me. I've enjoyed my time here and I am still enjoying. I've met new people and experienced new things, which I will cherish forever. However, when someone's been too far for too long, the fun ebbs and homesickness comes in. I am not homesick at the moment but for the past couple of days I've been on constant conversations with my parents and bestfriend, Nienke. I am glad we have Skype, Facebook, Gmail, and Hotmail to make communicating better. =)

Speaking of communicating better, I think I can now finally say that I can speak Spanish well. Calling it fluent might not be right yet, but it's getting there. I can maintain conversations for a very long time just like yesterday at work at the hospital. My co-worker, Mercé, asked me lots of questions about how the school system in US works. She asked me what I am studying and why do I want to be a surgeon. She asked me all sorts of things and, surprisingly, I was able to talk to her for about an hour or so while waiting for the next patient call. Mercé told me I spoke well and my accent is very good. She said that I don't sound like I am trying hard, which is really nice to hear. I have never been so happy that my Spanish speaking skills are getting better and better everyday. I know I may have not written any entry in Spanish but that is for my blog reader's sake. I don't think everyone that reads my blog would understand Spanish. Yes, you could copy and paste it on GoogleTranslate but it won't do me any justice. Hence, my wonderful Spanish entry would be butchered to pieces. Anyway, I'd like to share stories about my work on this entry as well. I am going to start with my work at the hospital and my other one at the soccer camp. But before I go on, I'd like you to know that I am not violating any patient confidentiality at all. I won't give names, but I will tell you their ages and cases.

Our logo at Sant Joan de Déu

My boss Tina Parayre and the secrataries Ana and Sonia

I work 3-5 hours a day at Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu (Castellan- Hospital de San Juan de Dios; English- Saint John's Hospital). Everyday I witness different cases and sometimes it bothers my overly emotional heart. My first day at work I was given a 2 year old patient with mild allergies. I thought that the work here isn't bad at all because after that my second and third patients just had mild sickness or were just admitted for further monitoring. The second day I came to work they told me that I should be able to go to my patient's room by myself without a guide anymore. It wasn't such a bad idea because I can speak Spanish well, I understand a bit of Catalan, and I am great with children. No big deal right? So I went to see my first patient and there she was with her tiny 2 year old body. Poor little girl just had a brain surgery... I know, I know. I've mentioned that I will be a pediatric neurosurgeon and nothing will ever stop me from wanting to become one. However, as soon as I saw her, my heart broke to pieces and I thought I'd call for backup because I didn't want to be alone with the child in case something happens. But I thought to myself I'VE REALLY GOT TO TOUGHEN UP OR I COULD KISS MY DREAMS OF BECOMING A SURGEON GOODBYE. So I sucked it up and carried the little girl and comforted her while her parents went to take a short break for lunch. I was there about an hour and she grew antsy so I started to rock her a little bit to see if she'll fall asleep. It turned out that she was sleepy and wanted her mom. I did everything I could until she started crying. I asked her, in Spanish, to please not cry and that I know it might hurt but everything will be alright. She stared at me and rested her head on my chest. Minutes passed and she fell asleep. Her parents came and I was relieved because I thought I had to take break myself too. They said thanks and I left. The next day, my third day, I was faced with tougher situations: a 2-month old with chronic cough mucus and a 5 year old that just had a bypass surgery. With the 2 month old baby, it wasn't hard because he was asleep and all I did for 15 minutes was look at him and monitor his breathing. 2o minutes in and all was well until he started coughing and suddenly turned purple. Right then and there I thought the baby will die in my care. I called the emergency and the nurses came and somehow managed to make the baby puke the obstruction in his chest. He went back to normal color and I was relieved. Another one of those cases and I might think of me as incapable of becoming a doctor. His mom came and said she'd take it from there. I left to see my next patient and didn't think I'd be in for another shock. I came to his room and three nurses were already there. They spoke to me and said they will be taking his stitches off to replace them with surgical staples. They asked me to stay because the mom needed a break and so I said yes. They proceeded on to doing what they came to do and the next thing I knew I was trying hard not to cry from hearing the little boy scream of pain. I held his hand and he looked at me asking me to call his mother. I knew I couldn't do that because his mom left for the purpose of not seeing her child that way. And so I told him that I'd speak to him in English and he will listen to me. He was confused for a while and maybe thought I was speaking in a crazy different language but he calmed down. The nurses told me I did well on calming him down and that I was brave for staying. After that I asked the office if that day I could finish my hours at the playroom because I just needed to breath. A little bit more practice is all I need when it comes to these situation. I have time to adjust myself and grow less emotional towards patients. But I think for now I will keep it because it is what inspires me to keep going towards the direction of my dream. You can call me weak right now but it is what it is. I just have to take it in as I go and try not think of me being a failure for being emotional. I think it's better to feel than not to feel. Right?

Now, my other job is the complete opposite of my work at the hospital. At the soccer camp I work with perfectly healthy and energetic kids. The only complain I have is that they are too energetic. Every time I come in we start with lunch and then a 2 hr free time. During then the kids are everywhere. After eating we clean up and then proceed on to playing pingpong or fútbolin. They take both things seriously, I tell you. Unfortunately, I am not good at both so they end up frying me during the games. I'm just happy they welcome me as one of the trainers. They respect me and listen to me, which makes me feel that I am doing a great job. I do not have the same group that I started with although I am lucky to have little kids again. There's this particular kid named Simon who won't listen to other instructors, or to most of them. I am not sure but he's different with me. I guess it's because I am a woman. In this country, the respect for mothers are very high and they listen to what they say. So I think when I tell Simon not to throw his slippers at the other kids and trainers, he listens to me. Motherly material, eh? Haha! Anyway, the real all internship days are coming and my last class is today. Tomorrow is our final exam and all is gonna be over.

The days will pass by quick and packing time will come sooner than I think. I am happy to leave and will never be sad to do so. My memories of Spain will be forever with me and I know I will come back. But I will end my post now and add more later. There are still some adventures waiting to unfold.

Until then... =)

Being a Complete Tourist

I finally had time to go around touristy places here in Barcelona this week and last week. The
first place I went to was La Boqueria. It was really crowded and overwhelming to the point that as soon as I went inside I wanted to go out right away. I manage to stay for about 15 minutes though. I took pictures of fruits, candies, and other things that were displayed. I got myself a fruit shake made with strawberry and coconut. It was so good! How I wish there was tapioca on the bottom of the cup so I could imagine myself drinking bubble tea. Haha! But it's okay cause as soon as I get home that will be the one of first things I am going to get. I miss eating Asian food! Agh! Anyway, after La Boqueria I went to Parc Güell with my friends Mercedes and Chandler. It was a scorching hot day and for every step a drop of sweat trickled down my back and my neck. I was bathing in my own sweat! I know it's kind of gross but getting to Parc Güell was such a workout! The way there was high and steep. Once we got to the top the breeze wasn't too strong but it was all worth it. The view from above, hearing Bramalam dude sing Pretty Woman, and taking beautiful pictures all made up for the trek on the way. We went to the lower part of the park to see the tiled buildings. I don't know but to me it's like seeing a modern middle earth although not really. Whatever... you be the judge. I have my own view of Parc Güell looks like and it will remain looking like middle earth meets modernist infrastructures. The place was jam-packed with sweating people and I couldn't take it so I asked if we could leave. We found a place to eat and rest for a while. After that we just all headed home to rest more and then watch a movie online. A whole week passed before I set on another adventure. The next one I went to was the Pride Parade here in Barcelona.

Fruit shakes! I got a strawberry-coconut mix!

With my friend Chandler

Gummies!

BLAUGRANA straws!

Mercedes and her watermelon. Haha!

Mushroom-shaped licorice. So cute!

Mercedes and I with this winged monster

The steep way to Parc Güell

Parc Güell

With Mercé!!!

Bramalam Dude!!!

I missed the Pride Parade in Chicago but I had a chance to go to the one here in Barcelona. I must say that it's got nothing on the Pride Parade in Chicago. It's more lively in Chicago than here. I mean there were booths, parade, concerts, and dressed up divas everywhere but something was missing. I didn't see many people wearing Mardi Gras beads. Anyhow, Mercedes and I had fun taking pictures of people and the surroundings. I got 2 Pride bracelets and a shirt. We stayed for a little bit but decided we were exhausted so we left but saw a cotton candy stand. I had to get cotton candy! So we did and Mercedes had some of it but I finished the whole thing. Haha! I'll post pictures of the enormous cotton candy later. The following weekend after the parade I decide I don't have much time here in Barcelona so I will try to do more touristy things. It's time to see the mecca of all fútbol club stadiums: L'Estadi del Barça.

Cotton candy love!!!

DIVA!

Look at these yummy boys!

The house of the fútbol gods, at last! Ahhh! Today was such a dream come true for me! I went to the FC Barcelona stadium! But funny things first: a hot security guard hit on me. Haha! I was in line for the FCB museum when the security guard stopped me. He said, "eh, perdona, ¿de donde eres tu?" It was funny because I just responded with, "Pues, adivinas" So he said, "Eres de Filipinas. ¿Si?" I nodded and he told me he's a machine when it comes to guessing. LOL. What a funny man. So he continued on talking and told me he knew I was Filipina because I have a beautiful dark curly hair, gorgeous eyes, and pretty face. Awwwwww!!! I never really saw myself that way but it felt great to be appreciated instead of getting hollered and whistled at on the street. He said Filipina women are beautiful. So, my fellow Filipina women STAND UP! He finally let me in and was still smiling till I entered the door. Darn I should have given him my number! Just kidding mom! I didn't do anything but he was a damn good looking security guard! One of the many good looking security guards and cops here in Barcelona. Haha! Anyway, my friends Eda and Erika were already upstairs at the entrance to the museum waiting for me. I met with them and started our little museum trip before proceeding to the stadium. Going inside the museum we saw a booth for handheld guide. We approached the guy at the booth and asked if it's free and he said yes. I asked mine in Spanish and my 2 friends asked for English. He wondered why I asked for Spanish so I told him I know how to speak it fluently. LOL. Hahaha! So funny.. We walked around and saw so many trophies. Well, no wonder! FCB has won so many different leagues. They recently won the Champion's League vs ManU last month. We went outside to the stadium and took a picture with the "Més que un club" background. It was hard trying to get the right angle because every other person there wants to take the same pictures. We stayed for a while and left to find a local place to eat. We were gonna go to Montjuic after but it was too hot that we just all went home. Anyway, it was still fun going out today. Tonight we planned to go to Razzmatazz, which is one of the best clubs here in Barcelona but it costs 13 euros to get in. Ah another day. My stomach is hurting too! This stupid gastritis wont leave me alone. Oh, well... Here are the pictures from my recent walk arounds:

FCB logo painted on the field.

Catalunya and FCB flag





PUYOL!

Barcelona

I apologize for the long wait on this post about Barcelona... but I didn't realize that I'd actually be this busy. Well, first things first: IMPRESSION.

I came to Barcelona on the 28th of May. It was a Saturday and could have been a normal day but it was the Champion's League 2011's championship gameday between FC Barcelona and Manchester United. Of course I couldn't pass up the opportunity of watching with my fellow FCB fans at a local pub so my new roommates and I decided we'd find one for the night. I head onto buying my first jersey (I know... I claim myself as a super fanatic but I didn't have a jersey...) and FCB flag to wrap around me like a cape. I went to the downtown area with new friends Mercedes, Cristina, and Bryan. As I have probably mentioned, or not, the night before leaving Granada was the night when we had our farewell dinner so you could just imagine that we all lacked sleep. Since I lack sleep, I easily got tired walking around Plaza Catalunya so I asked if we could stop by to get something to drink or eat. We did stop at this place where I got the usual bocadillo con jamon iberico and orange juice. It wasn't great but it sufficed although right after that my nostalgia hit me; I miss my favorite coffee shop in Granada. Pilar del Toro back in Granada was the best coffee shop for me. I made friends with the waiters and I even had my favorite spot. It's hard coping and comparing but I am in Barcelona now and I have to make do. I used to say I will like Barcelona a lot but it's not yet happening. Anyway, it's too early to say since I am only talking about my first hours in Barcelona. Speeding onto the night's festivities... We went to an Irish pub to watch the game and unsurprisingly found it full of FCB fans. We were welcomed with much gusto because of our blaring FCB outfits and my wonderful flag-cape. I didn't get anything alcoholic to drink just because I didn't want to... no particular reason. So, mom, you should be smiling right now. FCB scored 3 goals vs ManU's 1 goal. Celebrations after the championship was chaotic here! There were fireworks and crazy fans everywhere! I think I might have been hugged by people I do not even know. It's all good! I was so happy because my first day in Barcelona was epic! I went home early because I really just felt like passing out. I didn't miss out on a lot. When I came home I immediately hung my FCB flag by my window beside my bed. I'm telling you, the red, blue, and yellow colors suit me well.

The huge banner at Plaza Catalunya to support FC Barcelona

Fellow FCB fans at an Irish pub

My beautiful roommates: Mercedes, Valentina, and Cristina

Sunday... 28th of May

Well, it was a lazy day just like Bruno Mars' song. Y'all know that! Haha! I called my parents as soon as they woke up and put away my clothes inside my huge closet. Oh, I also got the biggest room in the apartment. I like having my own room! I made it cozy, nice, and ready to be my room for the next 2 months that I will be here. I also have my personal alarm clock next door, which sounds at exactly 7:45 AM. This alarm clock I'm referring to is the church bell. Yes! I live right next to a church. Again, mom, you should be smiling about this. Anyway, I spent the day just resting and getting ready for Monday because it's a regular school day. I was a week late for the Barcelona program so I missed a couple days of class. It's not big deal but playing catch up is something I really do not like doing. Hmmm... Monday came in too fast and my interview with the internship places I will be working at is also fast approaching.

Week #1: Playing catch up

Monday was a great day to meet new people. I met new friends at my internship class and Spanish class. I cannot help but to miss my old friends from Granada but, like I said, it's time to move on. Some of the new people I met were from Chicago and surrounding suburbs. I was excited because it meant that I'll be seeing them again after this program. The day went by fast and bits of it I already forgot. The next day I had my interview at the RCD Espanyol school camp. I found out that I won't be working with the actual team players, instead I will be working with other coaches as an assistant coach to the kids at the soccer camp. I was devastated at first but when I started the next day I had so much fun. I met a new friend and his name is Jaume. He speaks English to me all the time because he wants to practice but it's not helping me practice my Spanish. Oh, well... The kids mock me when I speak Spanish to them. One particular kid named Alex always says, "Oh my gawd!! Oh noooo!!" He tries to mock me every opportunity he has but it's ok cause he's only 6. My first day at work was fun and I already had my favorite kids, co-worker, and group. But different days means different group of kids. I am in no position to choose but it's all good.

These are some of the kids that are in my Wednesday group with Jaume and Fran. The little kid standing up is Victor. He's my favorite of all the kids I supervise. =)

This week went by fast and money did too! Barcelona is one expensive city... I have yet to find a tapas place that is good and cheap at the same time.


Week #2: Costa Brava weekend and France

We crossed the border to the South of France to the little town of Collioure. It was a really nice beach town with lots of small restaurants. My new friends, Courtney, Val, and Zyra all wanted to eat seafood and I was down for it too! So we ended up eating at this, well, French restaurant, which turned out to be a really chill place. We had wine, mussels, shrimp, and squid calamare. Really, it was so good that we could have stayed there for so long but we wanted to see the beach too. Unfortunately, it was not a sandy beach but a rocky one. So we just walked around and took photos of places, which I will be posting here as well. It was so beautiful there! The water was so clear... and everything else in sight was just... lovely. We walked around some more to buy souvenirs and postcards but we had to go to the meeting place soon. I wish we had more time to explore... although if we did I would have passed out on some bench because of a stomachache and headache. I'll tell more about the recurring stomachache later...

A lovely picture with Anita!!! Hey, Mat! This is for you! <3

Models... JP, Andrew, and Val

French guy with our wine at the restaurant.

I think he was trying to do the Mickey...

SEAFOOD!!!

L-R: Courtney, Zyra, Val, and I after lunch

At the Turkish baths! Of course, Scott would do that!

Collioure, France

The Cathedral of Girona

We left for Girona back across the border to Spain. It's another little town with a big history behind it. There were Roman influences and a mix of neo-classical, Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance too. We went to the cathedral and the Turkish baths, which reminded me of what I used to see just by walking around in Granada. Around this time I was having nostalgic moments of how much I want to go back to Grana' to see the Alhambra, Albaicin, and the Sierra Nevada. Of course, I wanted to see my host parents on top of everything else. I just don't think I could stop comparing; it's inevitable. Anyway, after the tour, we had time to relax before dinner. I won't talk about dinner because it was not that exciting. AFTER dinner, my friends and I went out to drink some sangria at the plaza but I wasn't up for any kind of drink so I just chose to get gelato. Good substitute right? I think mom will be proud that I didn't have a single sip of alcohol this weekend. I had one drink since leaving Barcelona and that was just rum and coke. Nothing serious... but it was expensive so none of that in the future. After a while, we went back to our hotel because it got chilly. It was really fun just talking and laughing about little things. I'm glad I stayed another 2 months and met new people although sometimes I think I am just ready to go home now.

The next day we went to see Dalí's museum. We saw some bizarre paintings but brilliant in a way. What they say is that it's either you like Dalí or not. I think I like him... his paintings might be weird but they were made with so much feelings and it's hard to just disregard that. He uses logic in them too. Ah, had I not been having stomachaches all weekend I would have gone and looked at every painting there. I left after a while because there were so many people and I just couldn't tolerate the crowd after a while. My good friend Mercedes went with me because she didn't like the crowd as well. We left the Dalí museum to go to a little beach somewhere. We got there and waited for our bocadillo for forever... So, I went to lay down and nap. I woke up and felt cold so I got coffee and thought it would be fun to play some volleyball. I met new people and there and it was cool. It was fun and everyone had a good time. Too bad we only had more than a couple hours to stay... We headed back to the hotel and showered. Dinner was served... again it wasn't too impressive but this time I stayed to chat with people after. We decided to go out that night but I wasn't feeling it. I still went but guess what.. I had another gelato while my friends had mojito. Hahah! Mom.. aren't you smiling big right now? =)

Gala... Dalí's true love.

Surrealist cab.. it's raining inside!!!

Huevos de Dalí

Cadaqués beach!!!





Do you see what I see? Yep! It's Abe Lincoln!

JP thinks he's a model... lol

The next day we headed back to Barcelona and I couldn't be happier to get back and lay on my bed. The following week went by fast and the weekend came; the weekend for Mallorca.

Week# 3: Palma de Mallorca

Our flight to Mallorca was early but it still didn't stop me from packing my bag an hour before taking the bus to the airport. Oh, well... We weren't late at all because it turned out that we were there 2 hours before. Standard procedures, I know, but still... Sometimes I choose sleep over any kind of traveling. It wasn't a trip for all students so it was just me and a couple of people I knew. the rest on that trip were new faces from other programs. They were IES students as well but they weren't in either one of my classes. I promised to make new friends and so I talked and sat with new people. I did a great job at it! I made new friends and took pictures with new people.

We arrived in Mallorca shortly after boarding the plane. Haha! JK! The flight was so fast that it felt like it only took 20 minutes to get there. We took a chartered bus to Belver Castle where we went before going to the hotel. Inma, our tour guide, told us the endless history of the castle but I couldn't really pay attention because I was taking pictures here and there. I think I might have mentioned beautiful so many times already but I will mention it again: Belver Castle was just so beautiful... so breathtaking. But then again, I still haven't seen the Cathedral of Mallorca. That too was beautiful. Gah.. Everything is... You'll see in the pictures.

My memories might be slipping me now because I waited a while before started writing but I guess, since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll just show you a lot of them. I'll write captions under some, but for now I want to stop typing. There's more to say but I'll save it for later.


Here are the pictures:

Palm trees!!! Welcome to Palma de Mallorca!!!

Hotel by the beautiful seaport? I'll take it!

Outside of the Catedral de Mallorca

Inside... it was so beautiful!

Theater inside the Belver Castle

Upside down house! LOL

Yaknowwww... Just a picture with a tree...


One of the many stained glass windows inside the Mallorca Cathedral.

La asuncion de la Virgen Santísima

It took forever to mount this pigeon statue. LOL

The next day we hiked here at Fornalutx. It was a little town with pretty houses. =)

Picture with Bri, Madie, and Mariah before the hike.

The last orange juice I will have for a while... Stupid gastritis... Anyway, it's ok! The orange juice we had was freshly squeezed and was really good!

This was the olive oil factory where we had that amazing free lunch with bread, tomato, olive oil, churrizo, and almond cake! Yum!

Beach after lunch? Yes please!

We went to Real Cartuja de Valdemossa on the last day of the trip to Mallorca. Inside, there was a library where antique books are maintained. It was kind of creepy inside but that's how everyone feels around antique stuff. Billy Bob Thornton, do you agree with me? Yeah you do..

See? I told you.. Creepy

Inside Chopin's cell

Wishing well/fountain.

Horchata and tarta de xocolat while writing on my postcards! Nienke! I was writing yours when I took this picture. Mira!!! =)

**Sorry that it took a long while to post this entry. I really have been busy with my 2 internships. The entries about those will follow soon. Adios for now...