Saturday, May 15, 2004
Sunday (actually 16th)
A long week since I last wrote. Hopefully I can piece things together. Have the apartment to myself now so quiet as I listen to music and panic over the 4600 assignment. 4600 is definitely looking to be my toughest class, especially since the professor took off for Atlanta because of an emergency. Hopefully I won't have to drop it.
Today, went to cathedral to see Sardana dances, which ended up being mostly older people. There was also a special exhibit of the AIDS quilt with people from different AIDS and gay organizations in Catalonia.
Afterwards I wandered around Barrio Gothi, finding Plaza Rei and the City Museum (though didn't go in). Walking through narrow passageways filled with graffiti. Some small shops open, mainly supermarkets run by Indians. Made it almost to pier and wandered down Las Ramblas.
Got mistaken for a local twice, once asking for directions to Sagrada Familia and then another time by Canadian/German guy who had spent time in South America so could speak perfect Spanish who asked me to be his girlfriend after asking me if I was married and my age, and invited me to Germany to take free German lessons and so on. He walked with me for several blocks and ended up giving me his email and phone number. Strange.
Got some postcards and lemonade, legs totally worn out. Saw Korean restaurant. Got free book with paper from neighborhood newstand.
Saturday--kind of lazy day. Mostly an attempt at studying though didn't get much done. Went out for groceries. Went out at 4:30--wanted to go to Brazilian street performance/parade and was going to meet up with Beto, this Brazillian guy who's studying in Barcelona who I met on orkut in the Barcelona community. Edu saw his profile and was teasing me, saying I had a boyfriend and he was going to tell my mom and such. Got sidetracked looking for a bookstore where I flipped through the travel guides for France(saleslady didn't let me copy down information). Worried that I had missed him since I forgot to bring his cell number but ended up finding him after all. His friends worked in 5th floor of building next to where the parade was starting so got to see the incredible mob from above. A blur of yellow and green since people dressed up to show their Brazillian pride. Some amateur musicians, dancers as well.
Was insane--people were getting in the middle of the street and police were only at the beginning of the parade so in between, it looked like there was about to be a stampede or something as people moved out of the way. Meanwhile got a pretty good view from balcony and got to meet a lot of Beto's assorted friends and colleagues and other random people who seemed to be from all over the world. It was the office of a design company so they had proposals for designs for car companies all over and one person showed off his flash design which he seemed proud of but which sucked from usability viewpoint since it was almost impossible to control the cursor.
After a while, Beto wanted to go down and get closer to the action as the parade came back in our direction. Went along with him and his friend Mayama and thought street had cleared out but turns out there was about as much crowd as before with as much trampling going on. It kind of freaked me out. So didn't even get to see Carlinhos up close after all.
After that decided to leave since there was free Chinese movie sponsored by UPC Asian club. Small turnout, depressing movie even though called "Happy Times". Afterwards met some Chinese students and Spanish/Swiss couple. Messup with train since door didn't open and delays since was so late. Finally got home at 1.
Friday
Went to Citibank and wonders of wonders they were able to give back my banking card and my check cleared. Yay! Wandered down Las Ramblas, with its bustle of people going/arriving for work and assorted older tourists starting their days. From one bus emerged the cutest group of 3 yr olds with matching lavendar pants and shirts with their names, all holding on to a rope pulled by their chaperone. Luckily I had my camera with me.
HCI class was cancelled since our classroom was not reserved and the one we had didn't have projection so the prof couldn't show his powerpoint slides. Lame. There's a little bit of irony in that being too dependent on computers. Saw royal wedding on TV though not exactly clear on whose wedding it was--a lot of flags and several kilts but not familiar with which ones they were. Initially thought it was the Spanish wedding, but that's not until later this week.
Had lunch with Soy, who as it turns out is starting grad school. Helped her navigate cafeteria menu and get her first full meal since she was sick of sandwhiches. She was unhappy with La Ciutat and being one of few Asians. So really glad I hooked up with Edu and Flo, who have been so nice thus far.
In the evening there was an anime showing at UPC which was amusing. Japanese with English subtitles which by the end were completely out of sync with the action. Surprising Rasputin/Nicholas II twist near the end which made it fun. Afterwards, went to train and bus station and found out specials to France so will probably go next long weekend.
Late night chat with mom
Thursday
After several back and forth sessions with Agnes at UOC, finally got to meet her. For once, an advantage to staying late in computer lab and checking email one last time since she stayed late just to see me. Was amazed that when I presented her with idea, she was not only willing to help but thought that maybe be could publish results together.
Hopefully I can live up to her trust. Even offered to lend me her book on virtual ethnography.
Monday
Went to Citibank, found out that I could have gotten my card back after all but support person on phone goofed. Ended up changing enough money to pay rent so worked out anyway though now don't have any more traveler's check or dollars.
First day of class turned out to be mostly logistical organizing. Reception and tour of facilities. UPC tour guide quote "Here in Spain we are not afraid to touch ourselves" after pulling random guy from group and kissing him on both cheeks.
A long week since I last wrote. Hopefully I can piece things together. Have the apartment to myself now so quiet as I listen to music and panic over the 4600 assignment. 4600 is definitely looking to be my toughest class, especially since the professor took off for Atlanta because of an emergency. Hopefully I won't have to drop it.
Today, went to cathedral to see Sardana dances, which ended up being mostly older people. There was also a special exhibit of the AIDS quilt with people from different AIDS and gay organizations in Catalonia.
Afterwards I wandered around Barrio Gothi, finding Plaza Rei and the City Museum (though didn't go in). Walking through narrow passageways filled with graffiti. Some small shops open, mainly supermarkets run by Indians. Made it almost to pier and wandered down Las Ramblas.
Got mistaken for a local twice, once asking for directions to Sagrada Familia and then another time by Canadian/German guy who had spent time in South America so could speak perfect Spanish who asked me to be his girlfriend after asking me if I was married and my age, and invited me to Germany to take free German lessons and so on. He walked with me for several blocks and ended up giving me his email and phone number. Strange.
Got some postcards and lemonade, legs totally worn out. Saw Korean restaurant. Got free book with paper from neighborhood newstand.
Saturday--kind of lazy day. Mostly an attempt at studying though didn't get much done. Went out for groceries. Went out at 4:30--wanted to go to Brazilian street performance/parade and was going to meet up with Beto, this Brazillian guy who's studying in Barcelona who I met on orkut in the Barcelona community. Edu saw his profile and was teasing me, saying I had a boyfriend and he was going to tell my mom and such. Got sidetracked looking for a bookstore where I flipped through the travel guides for France(saleslady didn't let me copy down information). Worried that I had missed him since I forgot to bring his cell number but ended up finding him after all. His friends worked in 5th floor of building next to where the parade was starting so got to see the incredible mob from above. A blur of yellow and green since people dressed up to show their Brazillian pride. Some amateur musicians, dancers as well.
Was insane--people were getting in the middle of the street and police were only at the beginning of the parade so in between, it looked like there was about to be a stampede or something as people moved out of the way. Meanwhile got a pretty good view from balcony and got to meet a lot of Beto's assorted friends and colleagues and other random people who seemed to be from all over the world. It was the office of a design company so they had proposals for designs for car companies all over and one person showed off his flash design which he seemed proud of but which sucked from usability viewpoint since it was almost impossible to control the cursor.
After a while, Beto wanted to go down and get closer to the action as the parade came back in our direction. Went along with him and his friend Mayama and thought street had cleared out but turns out there was about as much crowd as before with as much trampling going on. It kind of freaked me out. So didn't even get to see Carlinhos up close after all.
After that decided to leave since there was free Chinese movie sponsored by UPC Asian club. Small turnout, depressing movie even though called "Happy Times". Afterwards met some Chinese students and Spanish/Swiss couple. Messup with train since door didn't open and delays since was so late. Finally got home at 1.
Friday
Went to Citibank and wonders of wonders they were able to give back my banking card and my check cleared. Yay! Wandered down Las Ramblas, with its bustle of people going/arriving for work and assorted older tourists starting their days. From one bus emerged the cutest group of 3 yr olds with matching lavendar pants and shirts with their names, all holding on to a rope pulled by their chaperone. Luckily I had my camera with me.
HCI class was cancelled since our classroom was not reserved and the one we had didn't have projection so the prof couldn't show his powerpoint slides. Lame. There's a little bit of irony in that being too dependent on computers. Saw royal wedding on TV though not exactly clear on whose wedding it was--a lot of flags and several kilts but not familiar with which ones they were. Initially thought it was the Spanish wedding, but that's not until later this week.
Had lunch with Soy, who as it turns out is starting grad school. Helped her navigate cafeteria menu and get her first full meal since she was sick of sandwhiches. She was unhappy with La Ciutat and being one of few Asians. So really glad I hooked up with Edu and Flo, who have been so nice thus far.
In the evening there was an anime showing at UPC which was amusing. Japanese with English subtitles which by the end were completely out of sync with the action. Surprising Rasputin/Nicholas II twist near the end which made it fun. Afterwards, went to train and bus station and found out specials to France so will probably go next long weekend.
Late night chat with mom
Thursday
After several back and forth sessions with Agnes at UOC, finally got to meet her. For once, an advantage to staying late in computer lab and checking email one last time since she stayed late just to see me. Was amazed that when I presented her with idea, she was not only willing to help but thought that maybe be could publish results together.
Hopefully I can live up to her trust. Even offered to lend me her book on virtual ethnography.
Monday
Went to Citibank, found out that I could have gotten my card back after all but support person on phone goofed. Ended up changing enough money to pay rent so worked out anyway though now don't have any more traveler's check or dollars.
First day of class turned out to be mostly logistical organizing. Reception and tour of facilities. UPC tour guide quote "Here in Spain we are not afraid to touch ourselves" after pulling random guy from group and kissing him on both cheeks.
Comments:
Post a Comment
