Hamilton College Admission Journals: Alexandria Dotson

Saying Goodbye

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:06:40 GMT

One would think that after 8 months here I would be itching to back to America, my home in California and my silly little white dog Miso, however, I do want to leave. I’m not ready to go. After years and years of having to say goodbye to different people, places, organizations, I should have plenty of practice in getting this goodbye thing out of the way, but it’s just not that easy. I wish there was some sort of scientific formula, or mathematical equation to use in order to crank out the perfect goodbye, and be done with it, but unfortunately there’s not.

Last semester in December, I felt no heavy heart, no sense of an ever ticking clock, nor the understanding that my junior year of college was about to be up, and that senior year was barreling full steam ahead in my direction. I guess you don’t start to realize what you are about to lose until almost the very end. Now that I have less than 30 days until I hop on board Swiss Air at Madrid Barajas International Airport, I have started to realize that in one year I have done a lot and I am so proud of what I have accomplished. I have traveled to more countries that I ever though possibly in one year, enjoyed my siesta every day, made friends witch some incredible people, become an expert in public transport, acquired a second family, become fluent in Spanish and have grown in more way than one (thanks to those darn tortillas españolas!).

All in all, the life I have made here in Madrid, is one that I am so lucky and thankful to have had the opportunity to create. When I come back to Hamilton in the fall, I am sure I will have a completely new world vision, and a true appreciation for Jamón Iberico. So even though I will be saying goodbye to my new life here, I’m positive that I will be coming back to Madrid in the future. And, even though I’m leaving, Madrid is only a plane ride away! In a way, I guess I never really have to say goodbye then, maybe just see you later!

So this is what you call Art...

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:04:50 GMT

So I am sure this is probably just an Alex thing, however, I have this huge project for my art history class due in about a week and I am still struggling to find an artist to do my project on. We have basically covered just about every Spanish painter from the time of Goya to Dalí, and I am running out of options. I would opt for Picasso, but I don’t really like him very much. Goya is amazing, however we already talked about all of his paintings in class, so I can’t do my project on him either.

While I like Dalí, I want to do someone out of the box. You know, find some rogue 19th century Spanish painter who paints like God himself. However, I yet to find him or her. In my desperate attempt to find someone or something today I went to the Contemporary Art Museum here in Madrid, and while I had high hopes, only two words can describe my luck, crash and burn (okay that was technically 3, however, you get the point). As I walked through floor after floor of strange painting after strange painting, with the occasional fork posing as a statue, or “contemporary work of art” representing the strife in the world and the innermost fears of the artist, I quickly lost interest in everything around me. I began to make the strangest observations, and comments regarding the artwork. In fact, at one painting I began giggling uncontrollably, until I noticed a Spanish couple staring me down.

I guess maybe I am not mature enough to be going into a museum of such “high caliber” next time I will just stick with the Prado, at least there I can recognize what is going on the painting. And not to sound like a Negative Nancy, but I still don’t have an artist or topic for my final Art History project! Well there is always tomorrow, and I can explore the Real Academica de Bellas Artes de San Fermin. Wish me luck!

Time Flys when you're Having Fun!

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:03:05 GMT

Can you believe it, it’s already April, and yet it still feels like the 1st of January. I swear it was just yesterday that I gobbled down my 12 grapes for good luck as I rang in the New Year here in Spain. Where does the time go?

I bet that many of you are reading this thinking about the college acceptance letters that have flooded you mailbox. By the time you know it, those acceptance letters will lead to your first day of college (hopefully Hamilton), and you'll be waving goodbye to your nostalgic parents (one of which I am sure will be holding a baby picture of you) as they drive away from you new home.

I remember my first college acceptance letter, and how excited I was that some place wanted me and to relieved to know that even if I was rejected everywhere else, I would at least have one option. (I know that is a little depressing, but work with me people!) Getting into college and making that giant leap from the little pond to the big pond is exciting, scary, and nerve wracking. However, it is just another step on the path of life.

So, CONGRATULATIONS to all of you college bound and accepted seniors, you are getting ready to start the best adventure of your life. The best part is that you get to decide which school will be lucky enough to help you start navigating your adventure.

La Semana Santa!

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:13:26 GMT

I have never been much of a Spring Break fanatic, however, I feel like this year is different. This year I am in Europe and the world is my oyster (well it's as mucho of my oyster and my measly student funds will provide) HAHA!

Since I am in Madrid this year, my friends and I have decided on possibly the most epic Spring Break plans ever. After weeks of dueling on which hostel to book, and what flight to take and which itinerary would be our final and complete one, we finally came to a decision. We will be starting out in Valencia to see Las Fallas, which is basically a huge weeklong festival of celebrating ornately created paper mache dolls that are paraded around the city that ends in one massive bon fire on the last day. People have said you can see the flames from the fire for miles. After a day in Valencia, we will head back to Madrid to truly kick off our Semana Santa. We're going to catch our flight to Venice, Italy and float along the canals for 3 days, before we grab the train down to Pisa to boost the leaning tower up for a day. We will then take a bus ride from Pisa to Florence where we will stay for 3 days admiring countless fountains, sculptures and Italian life in general. From Florence we'll endure a "daunting" 3-hour train ride to Naples where will soak up the sun on the beach, bask in the presence of beautiful tan Italian men, and possibly take a day trip to Pompei to see the ruins. After two days of flouncing about in Naples, we will head up the beautiful Italian landscape to Rome. Our five days in Rome will be filled with tons of photos and a trip into Vatican city! By the time this epic Italian adventure is over, I’ll be ready to hope back on that plane on the 3rd to home sweet home Madrid.

El Blog HCAYS!

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:59:55 GMT

Tired of hearing me ramble on and one about my life here in Spain in English? Well if you so desire you can now read up about it in Spanish! I know, how exciting! (JK!) The HCAYS (Hamilton College Academic Year in Spain) Program has their very own super cool blog that HCAYS Students post. There are entries about everything from weekend trips to a detail description of El Museo del Traje, the clothing museum, (yes, we have a clothing museum here in Madrid!), as well as tips on good restaurants and things that other participants have done to pass the time. And the best part about this blog is, drum roll please... it’s in Spanish! I know, I know, how awesome!

If you have been thinking about studying abroad in Spain, I definitely recommend this program. Not only do we have the Spanish-Only Rule, but we take awesome trips to places in Spain that are incredible, and completely paid for by the program. We live with amazing host families, and truly learn how to live independently in a large bustling metropolitan city. Besides all of those perks, and Banco Paco (reimbursements from the program for the cultural activities we do in Spain), we really get the chance to explore Madrid and Spain in general, and it is all a part of Hamilton's program. All of the class credits and grades transfer over 100% to your transcript. I guess, you could say I am more than happy with this program, and will definitely be missing my new found home when it is time to go in May.

If you want to read more on the HCAYS Blog and see what we HCAYS students have been up to, here’s the link: http://hamiltoninspain.blogspot.com. Also, if you would like more info on the HCAYS Study Abroad Program, take a glance through the Hamilton College web page on studying abroad!