Now that I have a little over a week left in America until the end of the year, it's about time that this blog goes live. I will be attempting to describe my adventures in Europe and Northern Africa on this blog so that I can update you on what is going on in my life and you can feel free to keep in touch/stalk me at your will.

I'm starting out my overseas experience in Northern Italy. My dad and I are taking the first vacation together in years, spending the entire month of September before school starts enjoying museums, historical sights, fine wine, and interesting cuisines in parts of Italy, France, possibly Andorra and Spain. Some trips I want to do sometime during the other three months include Amsterdam, Morocco, Prague and Rome. I am dying to catch a futbol game, and looking forward to seeing my two favorite paintings (Guernica and Tres de Mayo) at the Reina Sofia. In terms of classes (classes?) I'm currently signed up for a grand total of 17 units, including Flamenco dance, of course. As of now, I don't know yet what I'm doing for winter break but I'm definitely spending it in Europe (and you are welcome to join me!)

I still can't believe Junior Year is here already. I knew from the start that I would be studying abroad in college. The fact that Stanford International Relations majors are required to do so only made it better. I live to travel, and what more can I ask for besides the opportunity to spend some quality time seeing the world? Choosing the right place to go to, however, was probably one of the most difficult choices I have ever made. In fact, I'm still not even totally sure of my decisions. I originally thought I'd be preparing to leave for Santiago, Chile right about now. The lure of getting to go to two different places led to a second new and improved plan of doing fall in Madrid, winter in Santiago (I liked the class selection better, plus the perks of the seasons). Of course, "The best laid schemes of mice and men / Go oft awry." And this is why I never bother with four year plans.

I literally decided not to go to Chile the week before my application was due. I am planning to do the Ethics in Society Honors Program, and I need to be on campus in the winter so I realized that going to Santiago was out, but I comforted myself with the knowledge that I am going to take a year off before law school and volunteer in Latin America. I had the opportunity to volunteer teaching Spanish/maths/literacy to the most incredible (and absolutely adorable) children in a small village in Guatemala (and yes, I did want to take my students home with me...too bad thats illegal). I have always loved mentoring/tutoring and especially after reading "Three Cups of Tea," I know that working within education would be something I would love to do. But for this year, Madrid it is! Though I have been to Madrid once before, I know that living there for a longer period of time, and being able to explore Europe (even as a poor college student) will be an incredible chance for me to be able to appreciate the history, art and culture.

While I am incredibly excited to start wandering through Europe, I am a bit sad that I'm leaving NYC behind. I don't know when I'll be back on the East Coast again, and this summer has been pretty excellent. Despite the fact that I've lived here my entire life, there's always something new to do (plus, you can never get enough of the pizza). My internship at Legal Aid was interesting and I definitely made the most of my free time. I am so glad I got to see the people that I've missed during my time on the West Coast. I've decided that one day I am going to live in the Village. Because it is that awesome. Additionally, I also got to rediscover my love of Washington, DC. I couldn't be happier at Stanford but I've definitely been reminded why I once considered choosing DC for college. Definitely want to spend a lot more time there in the future. I had a great time seeing lots of amazing people, plus geeking out over rare copies of "Common Sense" and Locke's Second Treatise, the original Constitution (my 'Mecca'), tons of free museums, and the epic Sunday drum circle which was complete with people watching, great rhythms and lots of dancing. Had a bunch of transportation misadventures along the way but the feel of setting out for somewhere new made up for any stress. I finished this last week in North Carolina, and flew back home this morning for one last week to frantically pack and get my life together before I depart.

I leave America on September 2 and arrive in Milan on September 3. Then my father and I are hitting Venice (hey, I have to see it before it sinks), Florence, Southern France, Monaco, and Barcelona before I have to be in Madrid on September 22. I'm staying in Europe until January 4th, when I leave for SFO from Paris. We shall see how things go. At least I finally got my passport (and visa) back from the Spanish Consulate! That's always important.

And so it begins...

Much love,
Anais