Well, I'm 21 now.

My birthday was on Wednesday, and I started a tradition of sorts last year which involves sharing my small obsessions and thoughts with you all.  Because if there's a time for self indulgence, it is one's birthday, is it not?

Wow a video wow.

I have officially run out of other ways to procrastinate.

But isn't my blanket coming along nicely?!

Back in the US(SR)

Low res view of the quad. Snow.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything substantive here, and I’m sorry.  But Read more » and then you'll be all caught up.

Starting your Valentine's Day Right

I was going to send this to Derek, but I bet you'll all appreciate it.

More to come later, promise.

Our Friends, the Creationists

Ready to reinstate your belief that we live in the GREATEST, SMARTEST, BESTEST country (???they're/their/there???) is?!

She has a point, their.

Welcome back, amigos.

Lauren, my wonderful Spain friend, came to Capitol Hill with us.

Alright, kids.  I haven’t been holding up my responsibilities, and let’s be real: you’re all looking to the martyr to lead the way.  Well, here I am.  I’ve missed you all.

"So long, and thanks for all the fish"

Before this week, I cried twice this semester.  This is a happy story, so don’t be put off.

"Your prison is walking through this world all alone."

You are unremarkable and unoriginal.  Some days that comforts you, following the path laid out for you by a billion forefathers and foremothers, whispering your destiny as they trod along.  Some days it scares the shit out of you, because darn it if you didn’t believe it when your mother said you were like a snowflake.

Another week gone by.  Happy belated Thanksgiving, everyone.

Internationally Domestic This Week

Hello, friends.

For the first time in about a month, I'm spending an entire weekend in Madrid!  How nice.  Sorry I missed last week's post; I was in Denmark, which complicated things.

"My heart is made of stronger stuff than glass"... Except that bulletproof kind.

Hey, guys.

Writing this post from Cole's favorite spot in Europe... and "Mr. Tambourine Man" just came on and my heart filled with that weird jolty-adrenaline feeling.  We are in the most adorable hostel, and there's going to be live music very soon.  But they've been playing incredible music all day, from our friends like Kansas and Mumford & Sons.

Jump, jump! Or, to use the Spanish informal second person imperative form, "¡Salta!"

"You'll follow me back with the sun in your eyes, and on your own, bedshaped with legs of stone."

When you read this, I’ll be in Turkey, which marks the fourth country out of five I’ll be visiting this semester, unless something unexpected happens.

Sorry I missed last week’s post.  Fridays can be tough, because I’m such a party animal and all.

Here’s what’s up in my life.  I have written a series of vignettes for your enjoyment.

Yawn Yawn

Well, it's 1:53 AM on a Friday, which means bed time, not blog time.  See you tomorrow.

-Rachael

Challenging the Theory of Karma

So, I’m sick for the fourth time in three weeks.  I got incredibly ill in Italy, bloated and throwing up and throwing down and throwing curses like they were going out of style.  I deduced, through trial and error (namely, getting sick twice) that it was the Italian water acting as a wolf-in-lamb-costume.  Sure, no one else got sick from it, but I also have the Indian water poisoning background, so I figured it was a repeat exposure problem.

Sickness hasn't taken away my Ansel Adams-osity. This is Retiro.

A Historically-Inaccurate History of the Mediterranean

Alright, guys.  I know you’ve been dying to learn more about the Mediterranean.  This is your one big chance, so don’t blow it.

Chapter One: That Time Columbus Flipped Off Homer

Leaving on a Midday Flight to Marseilles

Hello, friends.

Last week I posted to you about to leave for Naples.  This week I post to you having survived and loved Italy, 14 minutes away from leaving for a flight to Marseilles.  I know, I know--how did anyone convince me to go to the land of maliciously-silent letters?  In a place where meeting up requires a silent 'z' and 's' ("rendezvous"), I think I would just rather stay home.

I Tried to Be Proactive...

When was the last time you considered the difference between “bragging” and “showing off,” in an effort to explain the intricacies of the English language to two thirty-year-old men in a Madrid bar?  And when was that time you took shots with a 60-year-old woman on a Thursday night at an all-you-can-eat Asian buffet?

Oh, so you’ve never had a week like mine?  Read on.

Taking a Week Off

Hey guys.

Well, I'm taking a week off, because I'm feeling a little frustrated with the blog this weekend.  Glad that everyone's coming back to post, though.

If you're dying to read stuff by me, I have three advice columns up at amwordmag.com.

I'm about to finish (A) Game of Thrones.  Pretty good.  I hope I am like Arya.  That would be a good person to be like.

-Rachael

Depart from Hollywood Standards

“I have stolen glances at attractive Spanish men.  I was burnt, and impaled by splinters, in the town of Vilafranca.  I have spent the night with five people where only three should fit and left with both my sanity and my life.  I’ve never been expelled from university, but one time in 3^rd grade, I did get in trouble for reading past the late bell.  I tread over mountain passes with heavy packs that others fear to walk unburdened.  I have talked to valedictorians, loved cha, and written jokes to make my friends weep.  You may have heard of me.”

Taking the Plunge

Contrary to this post’s title, I did not have the opportunity to jump off of any Mallorcan cliffs.  Well, the only opportunity I had was diving to my death off the bluff that that overlooked this island, and I wasn’t feeling suicidal.  But I’ve taken a metaphorical plunge into the crazy and exciting Spanish culture.  Oh, and I swam in the Mediterranean—but you already knew that.

When the Urban Youths Conquered Spain

Right now I’m on an eight day semi-educational tour of Spain.  Before I left, I wrote a mini blog post, to show up magically on Friday/Saturday—but then the internet wasn’t working, so I just decided to bring the computer along.  So this blog is a two part fiesta.

Best. Thing. Ever.