summer rain.

the summer rain is calling my name. 
i hear it.
like a lost plane in the middle of the night sky. 
often muffled by the screaming sounds of sadness. 
we're all trapped in a box by what's expected. 
open your eyes and never expect anything.
only life knows what it's going to bring.
raindrops hit the window sill. 
time freezes and I become still. 
still waking up, still dreaming. 
still wishing for better days.
battered winds still come. 
now i'm free. 


- this is a short poem that i wrote a few months ago that i found in my journal today and decided to share. 

The giving of thanks.

Having life discussions and dreading the college lifestyle we've grown to love and hate over the years with one of my dearest friends, Shealy, at our favorite local coffee shop, 929. We've known each other since the first week of school freshman year and I instantly felt a connection between and a friendship developing into one of the people I now will one day miss the most when it becomes time to move on to the next chapter. 

Now, as the first semester of senior year comes to an abrupt end and I'm further fearing the unknown. Thanksgiving is 3 days away and I've been thinking of all the things I'm thankful for in life. We often think of things such as family, friends, and good health, but never grasp the full effects of it all and thankful enough for the joyous times until it becomes too late. We're the lucky ones, the wild youth, and the reckless. We constantly look at the bad things in life and try to alter the cons to outweigh the pros to many of life's problems. College seems to dismantle all the certainties of life. For me, it has been about figuring out the things I believe in the most and discovering all the enjoyable moments that come unraveled as time moves along. 

One day, I'm going to be old and grey. I'm going to look back and try to remember all the times where I achieved everything I put my mind to and then I'm going to have some of those deep regrets. There's all kinds of ways to view the world. You can't see the world clearly through darkness, only through light. Today I'm still searching for that light. I'm in a place where every day is a struggle to fight. Imagine each day like a scene from your favorite movie, listening to the sweet sounds of a perfect soundtrack. 

Uncertainty.

Wander in this world barefoot, no worrying about putting shoes on. That takes too long. You may miss all the things you wanted to see. Chase happiness and become everything you wanted to become. I see the sun coming down, that's like a closing curtain on a life full of dreams. Go crazy, let out quiet screams. The mind flows like a hidden stream. Some spend an entire lifetime searching for true satisfaction and adventure. The thrill of waking up a new day and feeling like a new man. Coffee thoughts and long nights. Facing new crossroads and hitting new brick walls teaches two of life's most important lessons. Open a book and discover something new. Burning through different chapters, looking how to make it to the end. We all go through things. Things that make us want to forget it all. We're all human. Mistakes everywhere, all I can do is close my eyes and escape for a few moments. That's life. Moments that bring you down to new lows and moments that take your breath away. 

rebel against society.

Sitting at my parents' house where I spent most of my life growing up and being innocent in the world. Looking through old family portraits. I'm in love with this world. Misunderstood souls. Lost souls. Free thinkers and creative minds. All waiting to be found. We're living in an artificial world. Trying to see the real and the fake. Life goes on. People and places come through life like the blink of an eye. We often take moments for granted, both the good and bad. Thinking back, over the last year i've seen and done many things. I've been to the inauguration of Barack Obama, arguably the most powerful person on the face of the Earth. I've traveled far and away to concerts to see artists i've always loved and ones that I've found a new love for. I've seen some of the greatest artwork ever created. I could spend countless hours just walking around some museums again to see works by Picasso, Salvador Dalí, El Greco, Van Gogh, and even Andy Warhol. I was mesmerized. I got to experience a life outside of the US for the first time. I marched and protested in my first environmental rally. I grew from all these experiences. Being lost and in a new state of mind is inspiring. Little things like photographs, artwork, poetry, music, and books all tell a story. We often don't realize it at first. But to think that some creative spirit once captured life and got to express those feelings and show us the way they saw it is mesmerizing. I keep a journal full of thoughts and ideas. Late nights and early mornings. I feel the most alive. I want to further pursue a greater love for photography and writing before this year ends. So many things, so little time. good times. bad times. Moving like a roller coaster. Up and down, highs and lows. These are the moments that help further shape my life and I'm forever grateful. We are the world.

A better tomorrow...

Recently, I've opened my eyes more to important issues that I was always been hesitant to learn about before. One of the issues that has started to grow onto me is the environment that surrounds us. Issues like recycling, climate change, and finding more effective ways to take care of the planet have all made me realize how careless we could be. Thanks to my really cool friend Meg, who helped me see some of these types of things. I always wondered how one person could affect the world as a whole, but by just being that one person you're already making a difference and taking an initiative that most are either too afraid or still in denial about a problem even existing. Me becoming more involved with Students for a Sustainable Campus group at school and my Earth Science class will both end up being life changing experiences for me this year. My love for venturing off outdoors and photography and experiencing new things have all made me appreciate all of this more as well. Next week, I'll be attending a conference called Power Shift in Pittsburgh with friends and thousands of other young people to learn more about these problems that face our generation and the future we hope to live in one day. Think of me as I prepare for this journey that lies ahead. Do the things that make you happy and take the risks that leave an impact on how you look at life. 

Moments like this.

It's officially been two months since i've been back from Spain. I think about it everyday. I've made a collage on my wall to remind myself everyday of some of the greatest moments in life i ever had. It's hard some days being back. I wonder what the next day will bring. It's my senior year at school, and to be honest it's frightening. Crazy to think that i will soon be without a lot of the friends I've grown to know and love over these last few years. I wonder where i'll be a year from now. Sometimes even 5 or 10 years from now. My birthday was about a month ago, and ever since then I realized that i had more responsibility to take on. Recently, I heard in a scene in one of my favorite movies, Good Will Hunting, "you'll have bad times, but that'll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren't paying attention to". I took this to heart, and I feel like time is one of the most precious things we have in life and that to cherish it each day is a remarkable thing. I remember the days growing up, having no worries in the world but just being a kid. How I miss those days. 

End of the Road

Well the last few days have been full of sleeping and returning to normality. The sounds from one of my favorite bands, Local Natives, and ice cold sweet tea keep me cool during these hot Mississippi nights. I made it back to the States safe and sound. It's only been two days, and Spain is still on my mind. I've been further contemplating life and the future. I'm still filled with excitement for going and disappointment about leaving Spain. Glad to be home for the 4th of July holidays. This will be my last blog post for a while. Thanks for reading about my travels. Every day is a different day. I'll keep you guys updated some over the upcoming year as I approach my last year of college and hopefully move on to do things I love in this world like traveling and learning about different cultures. The past is in stone. The future is up for grabs. Nothing is inevitable. Not even tomorrow. 

Tips for future travelers to Spain: DO IT!

• start a blog, or write in a journal. (i did both, and used the journal for more personal use.)
• forget about using netflix, pandora, and espn3 while abroad. (Neither of them worked for me during my time away.)
• leave all of your cash in the bank, and then exchange it for euros once you get there by withdrawing large amounts at one time. 
• take photos, but mostly of things that you want to forever remember, not so many photos where you won't even look through them all again.
• try to speak the language, immerse yourself
• don't be the loud American everywhere you go. You stick out more than you know.
• the less you travel with, the better.
• that also goes for people, smaller groups are always better. more things get accomplished.
• watch out for pickpockets and street vendors, they're everywhere, especially in big cities and tourist areas.
• buy a spain rail pass or a euro pass if you want to travel around a lot.
• buy metro passes also. never use cabs unless you have to, too expensive.
• always try different things.
• be frugal with money at times.
• start a Skype account to keep in touch back home from time to time.
• turn your cellular data off your phone before you leave the states to avoid high cell phone bills.
• get lost in everything around you, be free with the culture.

A few of my favorite Spanish words that I heard used a lot on a regular basis are:

• Encantado- nice to meet you
• Lo siento- I'm sorry
• No pasa nada- It's okay
• Vale (pronounced bah-lay) - okay
• ¡Que tengas buen día! - Have a good day
• ¿Qué tal? - How are you?
• No entiendo- I don't understand.
• Más despacio- Speak slower. 

There are many more things i would love to talk about but can't think of right now because there are so many. Email me or leave a comment if you have any future questions. Here are a few more of my favorite photos from the month as well. 

Streets of Madrid

Segovia, Spain

Granada, Spain

Cathedral in Segovia

Maddie, Bethany, and I

Hanging in Granada

Giving my host mom a MSU mug!

Enjoying the last weekend in Madrid

Farewell my friends.
Adíos mis amigos. 

Moving on....

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss. I keep telling myself that life is about the lessons you learn and the moments that allow you to grow. This past month in Spain was amazing and probably one of the greatest things I've ever done. I would advise anyone to go in the future. I got a chance to do some things that I will never forget, share memories that will stick with me always, and have stories to tell for years to come. I'm really sad to say goodbye to my host family who I've lived with here in Spain, to my teachers, and random acquaintances whom have turned into friends. Last night, most of the study abroad group had a final dinner together. We spent the night living in the moment, having good laughs and good times before eventually ending the night at our favorite bar "La Media Pinta". I am officially retiring the nickname "Frangria" No more crazy nights full of Sangria for me! Yesterday, I also finished with my final exams and tomorrow I receive my diploma at a special ceremony for everyone at school. This weekend I'm spending most of my time packing up my room and traveling to Madrid for a final time. Less than 4 days left. Going to miss the energy that comes from the people and buildings of that city. I'm going to miss a lot of things about this country. I'm going to miss sharing a classroom with other students from all across the world, places like China, Korea, Brazil, and Canada come to mind. We all learned together and each brought something different to the table. I'm going to miss walking around in a constant state of being lost. I've learned so much by opening my mind, closing my expectations, and listening. I got the chance to see something different and I reached out and grabbed it. 

¡Hasta luego!

Live a little

Every weekend, I find myself looking out of a train window up at the clouds or the night sky. What dream would you want to come alive if you had the chance? What goals you didn't reach and the ones that you are close to reaching, but can't often find the motivation to work harder. I close my eyes and then I open them to see if reality is really real. I wonder if all of the good things that have ever happened in my life were because of good luck, fate, or pure coincidence. I wonder if all the bad things were caused for all the bad things I've done and all the bad things I've thought about doing. Life comes so quickly, I blinked one time and missed out on everything in front of me.  This past weekend, I made my last traveling trip around Spain. The train ride was 4 1/2 hours long.  The train itself was kind of crappy compared to others we have traveled on, but i can't complain. The six of us that decided to go to Granada stayed in this really cool hostel in the middle of the city. Everything was close by. The experience this time was better than the weekend in Barcelona. We all stayed together in one room and spent the weekend together. I now have 7 days left in this amazing country. I really don't want to leave just yet. We saw alot in Granada. It's most famous attraction is the Alhambra, which is an old moorish palace built during the 9th century. It was amazing to see, so much cool architecture. Granada is probably my second favorite city since I've been here behind my weekly trips to madrid. This coming week will be bittersweet, spending the next few days studying for my final exam for school. Taking spanish dance lessons tonight. Hanging with my two best friends Bethany and Maddie. Check out bethany's blog @ bethany127.blogspot.com and live through her adventures here in Spain as well! Eating at all of my favorite places one last time this week. Going to miss the food!


¡Hasta luego! 

Past, Present, and Future.

It is currently midnight here in España. I'm looking out of my window, listening to the new Kanye album and catching up with social media. Staying up all night to watch game 7 of the NBA finals from halfway across the world at 3 am. Not many watch basketball here, futból aka soccer is king here. Every restaurant I go to there is a game on. I even witnessed the Spanish national team on tv today win against some country like 10-0. I've been slacking lately in blog posts. I have 10 days left in Spain. That's crazy. Last weekend i ended up going to Barcelona and even though it wasn't what we imagined, it was still fun and adventurous. I stayed in hostel for the first time, which was a memorable experience in itself. We didn't find the place til after 2 am friday night. It was 13 of us, and Joanna was along with us on this adventure because she came over from the states because it  was Bryant's birthday weekend. THe hostel was sketchy and hip at the same time. I wouldn't mind staying their again if i traveled to barcelona again. Although we had 2 rooms reserved for all of us and we still ended up being split up from each other. The thing about hostels are the sketchiness makes it fun because everyone you meet is from a different place. I met a couple from chicago, a woman from mexico, 2 girls from vermont and new york who both have lived in mississippi before or have had connections to mississippi. I met a group of French girls who i ended up sharing my room with haha, they didn't speak english so it was rough at times. These were all the cool people i met, there was also random people who freaked people out. I ended up overpaying about 20 euros for the hostel than i should have. I guess we were all tired and gave them too much money without realizing. Barcelona is a huge city with so much to see and do. There is so much style there and lots of energy from the people.  Being in a foreign place these past few weeks have made me realize how much is out there in the world. You're in constant interaction with people from all over the world. I feel like I'm waking up each day with knowledge about something in the world that I didn't know the day before. Tomorrow i leave for the south of Spain to Granada. I'm ready to experience everything there and take it all in. We're staying in another hostel again, hopefully this time will be better. Only a few more days of school left, i've learned a lot. My host mom's birthday is Sunday. She doesn't know that i know. I wonder how we will celebrate. 

Tengas un buen día!

Good vibes

One thing i love about Spain is that the sun doesn't go down til after 10:00 at night. It is just a chill place. I've thought about a lot of things while i have been here. I close my eyes and see a picture perfect sunset, looking up in the open sky. Life is the perfect teacher, i learn so much daily by just listening. This past weekend, me and some friends ended up going to a cool town called Toledo in search of new adventure. It was really awesome. There was so much to see. I realize my time here is coming closer to an end in a few weeks, it makes me nervous because i wonder if i am ready to leave. I'm trying to see as much as I can before I leave. I'll try to keep you guys updated as much as possible. I eat lots of bread (el pan), cheese (queso), and meat (la carne) here. I've also grown an addiction for fanta "naranja" which is the spanish word for orange. I hate fantas, but they are so good here and have them everywhere. I will possibly try to smuggle a bag full of these back to the states with me haha. 

Hasta luego!

Days come and they go.

The last few days have been rather interesting. Lots of adventures throughout town. We all stick out like sore thumbs to the locals. Today was the first day of class, and I'm in the easiest class imaginable. We said the alphabet in spanish and colored with colored pencils today, still debating on staying in that class and take the month easy or move up another level, guess i'll make a decision tomorrow. Alot of the food is really great, we eat out at least once or twice a day, they have tapas bars here which is like ordering a drink and you get free appetizers with it which is awesome because most only cost 2 or 3 euros which is nothing at all. They have Mcdonalds and Kfc's here too, and mcdonalds sells beer. They don't have sweet tea like back in the states, which is something I'm addicted too. The time goes by so fast, i wake up around 7:45 am which is like 12:45 at night back home, and go to class from 9-1:30 everyday. A lot of the streets on my way to school look exactly the same, so I have to leave home early to make it on time. There's so many spanish customs, like meeting a lady or girl you air kiss each cheek. A lot of the Spanish take "siestas" which are like naps, it's usually around 2-4. They take this seriously, a lot of businesses close down during this time to take a siesta. We go out almost every night around 10 and stay out until about 2 or 3. I think i'm learning the most by daily interaction with spanish, like ordering in bars and restaurants, having to talk to people when needing help. NO ONE hardly speaks english and looks at you like you have a disease. You end up making hand motions and sounds and look stupid in the process. Planning a trip to Barcelona this weekend, that will probably be pretty awesome.  Hoping to go back to madrid soon too, so much to see and places to go there.  

Hasta luego!

Lost in translation

my oh my. these people speak another language. i closed my eyes and thought i was in mexico or somewhere, trying to escape to the united states on the bus ride from the airport. made it safely. 9 hour flight was cool. did not sleep. My whole idea of this trip came to life at the airport in chicago. While waiting for the layover to pass, there were so many different cultures of people together. All of us waiting for our flight. It was a cool thing to see. Even the Spanish airline was cool, the flight attendants spoke english and spanish to everybody. They knew i didn't speak español though, so they kept it real and spoke english. my la familia for the month is pretty cool. I was nervous when we met. I'm just now waking up at my home for the month, ready to take on adventure since i've finally gotten some rest.  my phone only works on wifi so far, so bear with me. the time adjustment is crazy! it's 6 olock in the afternoon here! and probably like 11 am in the morning back home. sorry mis amigos if i texted you when i made it, while it was like 3 am back home. i'm looking out my window, writing, listening to the sounds of los niños play futból across the street. Somebody keep me updated with the nba playoffs tonight!   Hasta luego!

Will probably miss my flight

Getting up early tomorrow to drive to the airport. Last day here in the states. Still packing. Not looking forward to the long layover in chicago before the flight to madrid. I know i will eventually fall asleep and probably end up snoring loudly on the plane. I can imagine the flight attendants and other passengers gossiping about my sleeping habits. Being up in the air is calming and cool, but yet I still hate ascending and descending to the ground. Freaks me out. I will probably instagram the cliché photo of clouds or something if I get the window seat! 

¡Hasta luego!

3 more days

Over the next few weeks, I will be studying abroad in Alcalá de Henares, España. It is right outside of the Spanish capital city of Madrid. I've taken a spanish class every semester of college, but feel as if I don't know the things that I should. It's hard learning another language in a place like mississippi. The only times I even hear spanish being spoke is in class. While in Spain, I hope not to spend my time as the typical American tourist, but trying to capture the country through the eyes of a normal everyday Spaniard. 

First blog post.

Everyone has a story to tell. Mi nombre es Frank. I'm a senior studying Political Science and Spanish at Mississippi State University. I'm reaching a point in my life where I'm trying to figure out my next step. So many ideas and goals come through my mind, but I like to change my mind a lot. Someone once told me to always be flexible. Don't limit yourself. See the things you want to see. Do the things you want to do. Go to the places you want to go. That's what I hope to do. I don't want the typical lifestyle that most settle for. The strive to be different and do different things in life often pushes my mind to new horizons. 

¡Hasta luego!