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American Bubble

Any time I’m feeling slightly homesick for the US I always escape into a Starbucks. Today was one of those days with papers and exams looming all I can think about is the comfort of being home. Starbucks can always be counted on to deliver 1. my drink of choice exactly the way I have it at home 2. a room filled with American study abroad students and American travelers.

This morning I stepped in with a slight hesitation, will I get something different today? Grande , no water ,  Chai-tea latte or tall skinny,  cafe-latte? Do I need the caffeine to make it through the day or do I need sleep tonight? Well today is going to be a rough one- ‘grande, skinny cafe latte?’

For some reason I always end with a question, as if the barista will resolve my dilemma.  The girl behind the counter looks nervously at me when she hands me my drink, must be new. I do a quick taster, burning the end of my tongue to determine if she screwed it up. Great now I can’t taste anything and my tongue is throbbing slightly. Well seems to be normal.

I snag a big green sofa and spawl out my things to do a little work on my computer. Not one but two Americans approach me as to how to use the internet in the span of 10 minutes. An old pro at this game I loaded the websites that I needed before leaving the house to escape paying for internet charges.

30 minutes and 4 pages of notes later (thank you caffeine!) I sit staring absently just above the webpage on my computer screen. A gaggle of American women come in and look at the pastry’s and menu board. Despite this Starbucks location in Spain, everything inside is in English. Still they inspect the pastry’s for any altercation, only the yogurts are smaller in size.( perhaps there is more variation, I only like the yogurts and blueberry muffins) In the end none of them get a pastry, just an obnoxiously large Vente drink.

Ahh.. America, so close and yet so far away.

Starbucks in Barcelona

Podcast

As you may have already read, recently I have become a fan of New Yorker Podcasts. These audio feeds provide  a nice little break from the days activities while still updating me on some current events. But what exactly is a podcast? Quick summary they are the modern day radio stations, one or more hosts sitting down to discuss current events with filters that can satisfy any subscriber. They have developed in a sort of reaction to the over-commercialized  radio stations that we have cleverly avoided with our iPods. The only fault with these radio services is you have to plug in your iPod/ MP3 to your computer daily to get the newest feed. Once done the podcasts provide a nice break from music.

Podcast

Political Blog

The traditional manor in which politicians used to win the publics support has drastically changed with the US 2008 election of President Obama. From the start Obama was a media darling, first endorsed by Oprah on her talk show, a bold move for a media personality who had never before endorsed or even let the public know who she voted for or supported. Prior to Obama, Oprah proclaimed that she could not freely express views involving politicians since her famous 1996 multimillion dollar lawsuit by Texas Cattlemen who claimed defamation.The premise of the lawsuit and the following media coverage proved the immense powerthat the media personalities held in American society during the last decade of the 20th century. Through the support of a media mogul Obama’s name became familiar. It was his use of web 2.0 and social networks that memorialized him as a tuned in politician. From his self-proclaimed addiction to his blackberry to his myspace page, Obama made sure the American public, particularly younger generations knew who he was and what he was about. Though he may not be running into towns rallying voters on the back of a pick-up, Obama made himself just as accessible by using forums online. Now Obama has a special Blackberry and continues to send e-mail updates to subscribers of his website.

After his win, Obama present the Secret Service with the dilemma of keeping the President safe from hackers. Previously this was solved by simply discontinuing the Presidents e-mail accounts, hardly an option for a President who campaigned to be better connected. The resolution came with a specially built ‘hacker  free’ Blackberry, and email updates sent to subscribers of his website.

Podcast Recommendation

. Finding a good radio station was always a personal issue, mom and dad never liked what the kids liked in the car, arguing maybe a little whimpering would ensue from the back seat. Similarly podcasts are personal. Once you’ve filtered through the millions that are available online you become attached, wanting to recommend it to all your friends.

A podcast that I am particularly fond of is from The New Yorker:  Out Loud. The podcast demonstrates the capability to elaborate where print is unable to.  During the book review you are able to hear Louis Armstrong sing during the comments of the host and guest. Take a listen for yourself, if you like it you can subscribe to it through iTunes or from www.newyorker.com

about “The New Yorker: Out Loud“, posted with vodpod

Apple Support

You type the word ‘Apple’ into google and the first return search is Apple Co. No that’s not what I’m interested in however fun and amusing Apple products are, what I really want right now is a juicy , crisp , fiber loaded red apple. I’ve just returned from a weekend trip to Germany and France where the farmers markets were selling the most incredible produce.

Ok, so I know an apple a day will keep the doctor away but what else do apples do? From a little research this is what I found.

- Cancer fighting due to high quantity of flavonoids which inhibit the growth of cancer cells. A study surrounding the correlation between apples and cancer linked the consumption of apples to the decrease of lung and colon cancer. To reap the benefits make sure to leave the skin on.

-Decrease Cholesteral due to the high concentration of phenolic compounds . The antioxidant properties of the phenolic compounds are concentrated more in juice form.

-Cardiovascular Disease prevention by having your 5 a day.

Apples

The Sounds

This past weekend I went with a friend to The Sounds concert. Let me just say that they are A-MAZING live.The Sounds had me jumping and singing (badly) out loud, hours after the show rapped.  Only regret, not buying an XL screen print T-shirt to wear w/ leggings under my black leather jacket.

Sounds Concert in Barcelona, Spain

Re-Frye Boots

October has just ended and winter season is fast approaching. The leaves have changed color, some cities have already experienced their first snow, door bells are tinkling, hot chocolate is steaming, and caroling will soon begin. Honestly, who am I kidding, I’ve only been paying attention to the weather reports in hopes that I can still wear my favorite peep-toe flats, and let’s be honest, the door bells are always tinkling when your shopping. But how much shopping can one do during an economic recession?

Really the only responsible course of action is to shop practically. So it is only with functionality in mind that I have organized a wish list of boots from Frye. I’m already obsessed with the 1960’s, and if the Smithsonian Museum decredes these shoes representative of the time period, then I must own them. (There justification done) The designs are amazing, perfect for city and country girls alike; they handle the wear and tear of cobblestones or dirt roads with lasting durability. Every scrape and nick is a badge of honor for these boots, don’t be afraid, they look better with age.

This company has been sleeping for far too long, we finally have an alternative to Ugg’s. So enjoy your comfy sheep skin boots in the home were your feet will be kept warm from cold, hard floors. The Frye boots are here at last.

 

Frye 2009

 

 

Happy Pills Tour blip.tv (beta)

more about "Happy Pills Tour blip.tv (beta)", posted with vodpod

Happy Pills

If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona one stop you must make in between the sight seeing is to Happy Pills. No I’m not advocating any sort of drug therapy but candy therapy. This quirky candy store was established in 2007 and already has two stores with another on the way. It’s hard to miss if you are browsing around Placa Catalunya or in the Bourne district. If the pink cross doesn’t grab your attention then the hordes of people packed into the narrow modern store surely will.

Anyone suffering from a case of the blues will surely liven up when they begin filling up their medicine shaped candy bottles with colorful treats. After you’ve tacked one of the many humorous stickers (Happy Pills Against Mondays) your cheeks should be hurting from all the smiling. For those willing to spend a few extra euro you can choose a weekly or monthly medicine dispensary. My family members will be receiving the pre-packaged set which included two candy bottles along with snarky directions. Here is an example of what one of the packages has printed on the side;

Instructions for use:

Against Mondays, the pineapple diet, Sundays without football, Sundays with football, global warming, washing machines that break down without warning, grey days, PMT the male menopause, square roots, the unbearable lightness of being, the rebel curls without a cause, the jinxed weather man, the keys that lose themselves, the price of housing in general, and specific boredom.

Dosage:

Consume cheerfully.

Friends and family are guaranteed to enjoy this unusual souvenir. Insiders tip; pack enough for yourself so you wont be tempted to pick at the ones intended as gifts.