Souvenirs were bought and days were numbered but there was one last club we had to get out of our system. Persuaded by our friend Danny that this warehouse/rave setting would top all of our Barcelona nights he had a point. Razzmatazz was the name of the bar and though at first mocking the name set precedence over giving it a chance it had room after room of different themed music. Over 5.000 people in attendance Razz brought it a different crowd than the others. If you think you have ever been consumed by music you are wrong. A euphoric feel of carelessness and acceptance inside these walls proved this place to be a must for those seeking a night of insanity and sweat.

    So in a brief conclusion to the four best months of my life, I have learned an immense amount about myself and what I want. I have been engulfed by a society so artistic, diverse, energetic, and entertaining that day to day excitement starts when one eye opens. Barcelona exudes everything I want in life and to list all that I will miss would be not only impossible but an admittance that this experience is over. With refusal to do just that I promise myself one thing. I vow to allow this experience to shape who I am today, hold it responsible for my personal growth and internal bliss, and to never forget all I have learned. Oh yes, one more promise…that Barcelona has not seen the end of me and one day I will once again walk the premise of my one time home Plaça Reial.

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There are things to do other than the obvious recreation associated with Amsterdam. First of which, we visited the Anne Frank museum. Walking through her house it would be strange to travel here and miss this attraction. Just as one would expect it was an experience to remember, traveling through history and up the stair cases behind such an infamous tale.

The next order of business was the Van Gogh museum which holds the largest collection of his works. Standing three stories high and complete with masterpieces of the misunderstood artist, Karrie and I sipped cappuccinos between floors and took in the scene.

Afterwards we met up with our Roman girls and took the ever appropriate picture of us weaving the red “Amsterdam” block letters on-looking a gorgeous park. After hours of wandering the streets we fell curious to the red-light district. Who comes to Amsterdam without that curiosity? So it was back to the apartment of our host Evan, a fellow Penn State student abroad. We gathered him up and found ourselves window shopping for prostitutes. It was possibly the strangest feeling, indescribable and a scene so purely different from the States. Truly hysterical how ridiculous some of these girls were dressed and the fetishes they were willing to fulfill. I learned the grid of pricing and location depending on the girl’s worth as well as the blue light’s significance…find out for yourself.

    We experienced everything a first-time visitor to Amsterdam should. But before I knew it I came back to Barcelona and had to start packing for spring break. I was off to a Canary Island called Tenerife which is owned by Spain and westwards of Africa. My travel partner was a fellow Becca who was from Texas and had become a great friend abroad. We left for the Gerona airport which is about one hour south and would take us to Tenerife. Enjoying a bottle of wine aboard the bus we anticipated the week ahead of us. We left with few expectations, mainly being that we relax and come back as dark as the neighboring Africans.

    A bus from the airport drove us all around the island and the scenery was mind-blowing. Brilliantly colored flowers covered every inch of land and cliff-side villas on looked the black sand beaches. This place was a paradise. We traveled to different hotels hosting other spring breakers and got the nightlife experience this island was known for. More importantly we layed on the black sand beaches and took in the gorgeous sun giving us the relaxation we had craved. It was a perfect spring break, besides the insane taxi drivers taking hillside curves at 60mph making us sweat scared more than the beating sun did at peak hour. These drivers were out of their minds but we got to our destinations alive so who am I to talk.

    If the setting of a clear blue ocean, stunning flowers and sailboats isn’t enough of a selling point, any guy would go for the numerous boobs seen on display around this island.

please read on for more entries. - Entry #10

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    Upon arriving we walked the busy night scene of Las Ramblas and he commented on the architecture surrounding. His interest in architecture could only be enhanced here. I took him to see Antoni Gaudi’s “La Sagrada Familia”, the distinct temple of Barcelona which is in restoration. On the walk back towards Old Town we hit siesta time which meant stores were closed and the town was asleep. He fell amazed at the empty city, not so much in an “I could get used to this” manner that I fell to, but a “what the hell? No one works around here, what a lazy city”. We’re all entitled to our own opinions. He was impressed with the architecture, however, couldn’t resist the feeling that at the rate in which Spanish work this temple will never be completed.

The main aspect he was looking forward to is the abundance of skateboarders throughout the city. After chatting up locals he found himself riding a bit throughout the week. This alone made his trip worthwhile. Barcelona is one of the top skateboarding cities of the world and all the nightlife and food I could bring him would not compare to a few hours of riding the hotspots hidden throughout the city.

With my brother gone, things continued as normal. Classes continued and art trips to the Picasso Museum and Miró (Joan Miró) Foundation took place. I am continually showed what an art-filled city Barcelona is and how proud the Spanish are of their native artists.

I spend more and more days at the harbor people-watching and sketching. Daily trips to the Boquería continued, as did the constant surprise of each new day’s happenings. New friends are constantly made and new foods introduced here.

please read on for more entries. - Entry #9

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     We arrived at Rome’s airport with no idea where we were going at 10p.m. with a lullaby Karrie’s grandmother sung as our only known Italian. This was bound to be an experience but somehow Patrice found us and after the ever-girly screams of excitement our night began. We first arrived at some of our guy friends’ apartment where a glass of Italian vino was in order. A taxi ride with a collaboration of friends Cait, Katie, and Patrice’s attempt at a late night tour brought us to Campo de Fiori where we ran into what seemed like all of Penn State. Friends from school, even friends from Barcelona were here gathering at the center fountain, stumbling over the cobblestone grounds and feeling the social Italian air. I found myself playing soccer with strangers in a narrow street while walking with a crowd of twenty to find a taxi. Coming to Rome with no expectations it was pure social bliss. Tomorrow was surely a day never to forget.

    It lived up to hype. With sunglasses in tact and map in hand we traveled to the Pantheon where we had lunch just outside of coarse ordering pasta as our first meal. After taking in this massive structure from the inside out we were ordered to get Rome’s best cappuccinos just around the corner. True to form it was delicious and we knew that this weekend was headed down a road of never-ending food. Next we visited the Trevi Fountain where gelato was in order and Karrie and I did the appropriate coin toss into the fountain. Just as imagined it was just beautiful, overflowing with tourists yet strangely again, familiar faces. It is a small world when you run into friends from Barcelona in Rome and I loved every moment.

    After street walks and window shopping we headed back to get ready for our bar tour beginning at the Spanish steps. Hundreds of students gathered anticipating a night partying with the Italians. Meeting new people with crazy stories and that Italian charm we knew to expect. We had conversation, dances, drinks and our separation we will never live down. Karrie and I stopped for a bathroom break between bars and unto our knowledge no one else was joining so after nearly providing Patrice with a premature heart attack we called and met up across from the Vatican. “Where are you guys!” she asked on the phone in pure hysterics, “well I’m not sure but are you wearing yellow?” I responded, “that’s not important you guys are crazy I don’t know where you are” “Well if you are indeed wearing yellow look to your right.” Her scream and laughter will remain in my mind forever. A momentary glitch in the weekend it was time to call it quits and head home.

    The Vatican was our next host and my dream of walking the grounds of the Sistene Chapel became a reality. Taking in every statue, every bust, altarpiece, and painting, it all lead to the very core of Italian art. It was breathtaking and surreal. After catching my breath at the life I am leading this very moment, we were off to St. Peter’s Basilica.

    An incredible span of pillars and gorgeous statues surrounding the estate it was exactly how one would imagine in company of thousands of others thinking the same. A necessary stop for a cannoli was in order after this long day of sightseeing.

    Tonight’s plans included a never-ending pasta dinner for twenty which was everything dreamed of and more. Not just the food that was mouthwatering but it was conveniently located down the street of our last stop. There she stood with a presence no words could convey: the Colosseum. Next to which was the Arch of Constantine standing strongly beside. Two days in Rome fulfilled an artistic experience I was destined for. But with so much more to see and as my coin in the Trevi fountain signifies, I will one day return to Rome.

please read on for more entries. - Entry #8

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     I had to agree with the mojitos however when he said pirate bar he was not taking it lightly. This place was adorned with mermaids, pirates, mannequins of Hook, and truly some of the scariest women I have ever laid eyes on (mannequins also, not the bartenders). We continued our late-night bar tour to the Travel Bar. There are a few Travel Bars throughout the city and they are perfect for nights you just want English and a good story. To this day Karrie and I have celebrated a bachelor party, mocked a quite well-known band unknowingly and entered at 8 am after a night out simply because we liked the song playing inside. The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army”, which one must take time to enjoy it especially after a great night out.

    One club I have yet to mention and I see it as a necessity is Mirabe. It is about a 20 minute cab drive which split is not so bad but truly worth it. It is atop Mount Tibidabo and overlooks the entire city. The picture of my girls and I in front of that gorgeous backdrop is priceless. It is a must-see bar especially great for when people come to visit. Because yes we are expecting visitors from other abroad cities and we will not hold back anything Barcelona has to offer!

    Quick story time. Our friend Alex has convinced us that the bar Be Cool is going to be the next big thing so my girls and I took him up on it. Though the bar was good, a bit more relaxed than we were used to, it was after the bar closed that made this night one to remember. A crowd of about eight new friends gathered near the streets and found ourselves singing songs people know but are embarrassed of at volumes one shouldn’t perform even in the shower of an empty house. Belting out Moulin Rouge’s “Elephant Love Medley”, I held nothing back. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Karrie had recorded our concert on her camera and our performance was officially documented. Song after song, be it Disney, Madonna or Tom Petty, we hit all sorts of classics. Embarrassing? Sure, but possibly the two best hours obtained here in Barcelona.

    Unexpected events are as common as bums filling the streets. They come time after time and embracing them only make things more interesting and memorable.

    Inhibitions are low at all hours of the day and impulse is the driving force. The face that I have such a limited time here makes it hard not to make every day different. So Karrie, Cabibbo and I continue to go out, dance like no one is watching and make friends that regardless the shelf-life, will enhance this experience by opening us to new kinds of people. The group of friends we have acquired here is filled with party promoters, students, musicians, and filmmakers. They come from countries such as Belgium, France, Holland, and England. There is no prototype for someone living in Barcelona, everyone fits in and brings something new and different for us. If only social groups back home were more diverse we could see the dynamic of different cultures, hobbies, and interests collide smoothly at an earlier age.

please read on for more entries. - Entry #7

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     The occasional vocalists are present but always setting an appropriate mood as they are performing in front of a religious site. Keep on walking and among the storefronts of Zara, or Bershka and you will find street musicians with crowds of fans dancing, socializing, or just taking a break in their route. From Latin, to jazz, to salsa, the musicians flooding the streets seem to find success because they play a music genre according to their location in the city. The music played near the harbor is much more mellow than among the rapid-moving shoppers in Plaza Catalunya. Port Olympic attracts a younger crowd and the music reflects their taste. A soundtrack to your day cannot be avoided compliments of the musicians. This is one aspect of my experience here that makes these four months feel so much more enriching. It is truly a cultural eye-opener and embracing it is not only easy but coming all too natural.

My class schedule allows me a three hour break from 2-5 and like the rest of the city this is my time for lunch, too often a sandwich from “Conesa” the best sandwich shop located right in Sant Juame. It should be featured in every travel guide as a must-hit spot, I bring newcomers as often as I can. Regardless where lunch takes place I have found that this three hour break is best spent at the Port. Port Vell is my spot. The contents of my bag always include my sketchbook, pencils and some sort of candy. I could live off of these three items for one reason only. I could take pictures as every other tourist does and record my memories of what I saw however I’ve chosen to do differently. I choose to sit in different spots and sketch what I see that day.

There is no better way to record how your day went than recalling sitting on that bench gazing at a certain boat that caught my eye or a lighthouse that was hit by the sun in a most perfect manner. Just this week I found two business men sharing a bench on their lunch break in complete silence, with a freakishly perfect pose for a sketch they sat still until I was finished. Personally, I think one man saw what I was doing and remained in his relaxed position out of flattery but I will never know. It was a wonderful refection of what this day entailed. It was beautiful weather; a steady calm resonated among the Mediterranean and her surrounding company. A perfect day, only enhanced by the bulk gummies I purchased at a hidden candy store.

This week didn’t have too much new in the nightlife department but the rotation of bars and clubs as the week goes on is always bringing new people into my life. Be it a local to practice my Spanish on, or a new friend taking advantage of Europe’s encouragement of moving throughout from country to country. Some people are just passing through and others just picked up and left to see what Barcelona could offer. The independence of young people over here is incredible. Travel is seen as not a luxury but a right of passage or as a means to find where you belong and who you want to be. This outlook should definitely come back to the States with me.

please read on for more entries. - Entry #6

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     A few friends of ours put together a party bus meeting at the city square Plaza España, where we all boarded dressed in crazy scarves, masks, and costumes anticipating a night of mayhem. Which is exactly what we got. What I also got this night was an introduction to Carles. Sharing more in common than a mutual friend, I found a Barcelona native who wanted to show me Barcelona from his viewpoint and not a guiri’s. Another word I’ve learned. A “guiri” is an obvious American tourist portraying every stereotype that we have come here to defy. One stereotype I must admit it embarrassingly true is our volume in which we speak. Always louder than the neighboring strangers Americans make themselves heard and not always in a good way. One of the first things we learned here in Barca is the popularity of pick-pocketing, if someone wants to rob you they will not use violence, reassuring right? Yes, but they are so good you will not know the robbery took place. Be smart and watch your back. Not in a paranoid way because that will consume you but in a smart manner and you will leave this city with what you came.

So a little more about Carles because there are a few more locales in Barcelona which I have been introduced. Our first dinner date, a direct result of a lost bet, was at Buddha Bar. This restaurant was great, other locations in Paris, New York, and Shanghai, there is reason to its reputation. The food was delicious and the numerous surrounding Buddhas, including a gigantic 8-foot Buddha who’d freak one out much more had his eyes been open. A strange brothel-like entrance set an interesting mood but a definite recommendation on my behalf. Close enough to walk home we passed the Cathedral and Sant Jaume, both of which take on much different scenes at night.

Walking Barcelona’s streets at night in the Old Town you may find gypsies, prostitutes, skateboarders, children, anything is possible. However, bums are a certainty. The men will shout catcalls no matter the time of day. Warned early of the men’s need to shout “hola guapa”, or “chica bonita”, in a matter of one day’s explorations it runs from flattery to annoyance and inappropriate behavior all too quickly. So girls out there who are contemplating a semester abroad beware. Some of the men are vultures, they will not touch but my best piece of advice is to rock an IPOD on your walk to class. It comes in handier than you’d think. Plus, it creates a soundtrack to your life as you walk streets that never look the same two days in a row.

please read on for more entries. - Entry #5

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     The nightlife, unfortunately for my parents, takes the highlights of the week. This Sunday was the Super Bowl and this night is quite a story. Arriving late to Pippermints, remember the bar with the gigantic drinks, we are in a sea of American abroad students celebrating just as they would in the States. They clearly got an earlier start on this celebration because just after my first sip of the night the national anthem is played. Drowned out by the vocals of drunken Americans they fail to notice that the Spanish bartenders have muted all the televisions. An atrocious display of tone-def mixed with drunken American pride, this was an energy I will never forget! But the game went on and it was a Super Bowl night like any other year, one minor detail being that no Spaniard cares about football. Their concern is with fútbol. And when I say concern I mean obsession. Soccer is the universal sport of Europe and it is a lifestyle.

    Plaça Reial yet again gives the three of us an experience no other abroad student gets without independent housing. Game days. I live in one of the most popular city squares and one thing they have most to offer is outdoor drinking so you better bet that on game days these fútbol fans have traveled across Europe to start their tailgating before my 8:30 am art class. Hysterical! On game days our plaça turns into a mess of opposing team jerseys and an a.m. beerfest. Any American who thinks they are fanatic about a sport is kidding themselves and fails to compare to these hooligans. Well, not real hooligans, they’re not permitted into other countries controlled by a list of those too dangerous to cross country boundaries. So my dream of tailgating with soccer hooligans sadly will not come true but I’ll do one better. Instead of being destructive and dangerous these fans flooding our streets are here for one reason: to drink muchas muchas cervesas.

    I’ve acquainted myself with another discoteca (nightclub) called Pachá. Pachá has an energy unlike the other clubs, techno truly gets pumped right through your veins and it is much larger than others. Dancers set the mood upon private stages sporadically throughout the dance floor but if you want to tell your friends anything expect to tell them after hours because you cannot hear anything but your heartbeat. This bass line will continue to ring in your head for a few hours following your exit but it is more a thrill of your night than an annoyance.

    Though the nights only get better, my Spanish class seems to get ahead of me. My professora María has her good days and bad. Taking such a hard class I knew I would be challenged and her lack of English was anticipated but I did not see her occasional Spanish raidscoming. This week we had a field trip planned and her decision to cancel it last minute sucked but we could take that. What my classmates and I could not take was her rage she let out after a few missing homeworks. She flipped, left the class, and we all sat in silence dumbfounded and confused as to whether we were to leave or stay. This confusion left to laughter and a bonding over her crazy Spanish temper that was let loose so early in the day. A bunch of us decided to go out to lunch together where I found my class is actually filled with cool people. It just took a teacher flipping out to bring on commonality. My classmates are from all over the States but we are all here for the same experience. After lunch and some number exchanges I will definitely spend more time with a few. In fact I have already met up with Katie, who attends Boston College, at Fellini’s, a great afterhours bar located right near my apartment on Las Ramblas.

 please read on for more entries. - Entry #4

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     Now that the Boqueria is out of my system I must share about this week. The rumors are true, Barcelona’s nightlife is unbelievable. Even Penn State could not have prepared me for how Europeans go about partying. As an advertising major, I must admit that I am impressed by the promoters here who get this market of abroad students out and into clubs. Promotions through Facebook have targeted just about every American student here and offer a great bar or club every night to meet people and party (as if we went abroad to do anything else like learn). The clubs get good at the earliest 1 am and stay open until 6 am. It’s incredible! So my favorite night has officially been established and Thursdays at the nightclub “Sutton” is so far incomparable to the rest. A stage filled with go-go dancers, VIP tables everywhere, and a dance floor with platforms of coarse featuring my girls and I. I am already convinced Barcelona was made for the three of us!

    However, I cannot ignore the other bars I have made it to because they are not far behind in comparison. Shoko is a fantastic bar located right on the beach where I enjoyed a couple rum and cokes while dancing on a patio on-looking the Mediterranean. Just a typical Monday night here! Right next door is Opium Mar, which claims the same incredible beach view has an insane dance floor where techno music that I am learning to love pumps all night long. My life here in Barcelona has already started a soundtrack. Three songs come to mind when I compile a playlist to get ready for a night out. These songs would be Juliet “Avalon”, Fragma “Toca’s Miracle” and Alex Gaudino “Destination Unknown” whose video is oddly risqué and would never run in the states, check it out! One more bar that Karrie, Cabibbo and I have acquainted ourselves with would be Pippermints, a very casual bar where one can buy a 72 ounce beer or mixed drink, they’re crazy big but surprisingly one is never enough to share!

After just a week we have already found the host of our late-night-eating fests. I have been introduced to the world of schwarmas. Let me explain a bit how delicious this sandwich is, actually scratch that, it is beyond words. As anyone can find numerous restaurants in Barcelona featuring this Middle Eastern sandwich, I will forever vouch that this restaurant conveniently located below my apartment is the best.

I suppose I could get a little into the food of Barcelona since I have quickly learned that they’re eating schedule is unlike the United States. The attitude of Catalans and Spaniards is very relaxed and based on the fantastic outlook on life of enjoying each day as it comes. They take enjoyment out of every meal and find any excuse for social gatherings and drinks. The daily regiment of the common Barcelona resident begins with work from about 9am-1pm followed by a lunch break of four hours, two for lunch, el menu del dia, which includes an appetizer, an entree, a dessert, and a glass of wine. The following two hours are for socializing over cervesas (beers). Then it’s back to work from 5-9 and a light dinner concludes their day around ten or so. Depending on lifestyle this could be time for bed and downtime or post-dinner leaves enough time to take a quick nap and get ready for the exciting nightlife guaranteed every day of the week.

More about the delicious food. The infamous dish offered at every restaurant is called paella and because Barcelona is host to one of the largest harbors, fish is their prime ingredient. Paella comes in so many variations I have only tried two but I imagine every one tastes just a little bit different. It is a bit like risotto for all you Italians out there, but truly a Spanish marvel. Paella is either rice or fideau noodle base with saffron, fish stock, vegetables, chicken, shellfish, pork…there are a million variations I am convinced.

Walking the streets to class or just to wander, I notice signs of “tapas” bars at every corner. Curiosity lead us to one this week and we tried about seven kinds. Tapas are Spanish appetizers of small portions encouraging customers to try a variety. From a small fish fillet on a baguette to a caprese salad, there are lists upon lists of tapas and every bar has their own modifications to traditional tapas.

Food and drink is truly the binding force behind this city. There is no such thing as a to-go drink or meal, of coarse Starbucks has shown its face throughout the city but I think that a paper cup and lid is more obvious that we are American than flip-flops and a North Face. The intent is for every meal to be enjoyed. Drink your coffee with a friend before class or work, and have a beer or two before returning. This is the type of society I am made for. No one should be cooped up in an office when it is gorgeous outside nor should the city rise before 10am. I have always lived by the motto that no one should rise before the sun. Forget Buffalo I should have been raised in Barcelona!

please read on for more entries. - Entry #3

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    My home for the next four months will be an apartment located in Placa Reial which I must admit was a hassle getting before arriving here but it is perfect! Claimed the most lively square of Barcelona, Placa Reial hosts some of the most popular restaurants like Les Quinze Nitz with outdoor seating for those who want to people watch as passer-by-ers take pictures at the central fountain and among the palm trees that adorn the square.

Nightclubs such as Jamboree and Karma are just a few in Placa Reial. I am first becoming familiar with Placa Reial as I know that this will be my base here in Barcelona. It is also the name I will be using when returning from this crazy nightlife I have heard so much about!

    The program that I am enrolled in, IES (International Education for Students) has allotted us an adjustment period prior to the beginning of classes. It has included walking tours around the city with students in corresponding language levels. After taking the online proficiency exam I have tested out at an advanced level and will take a Spanish language class which will be seven credits and hopefully will lead to a large improvement by the time I leave here. From the walking tours I learned the basic structure of Barcelona. Barcelona contains many different “barrios” which are simply neighborhoods dividing the city. The first I learned about is Barrio Gotic which is often called Old Town because it holds the center of early Barcelona. Barrio Gotic also contains the Catedral, the Christopher Columbus statue, Placa de Sant Juame, which was the old city center and houses the current government. Clearly favoring this barrio because it also holds my home, Placa Reial, I know I will spend countless hours walking these streets. Quickly a sucker for the pastry shops at every corner, I am already in love with this city!

    The second walking tour gave me a taste of another barrio called El Born. This area is home to the Picasso museum, the Palau de la Musica Catalana, Els Quatre Gats, the café in which Picasso sipped espresso at, as well as Parc Cituadella. The architecture is breathtaking. The Palau de la Musica Catalana is the most ornate structure I have ever seen with sculptures and colors adorning all outside. As postcards frequently show the inside’s bell shaped stained glass, my curiosity drew me to take the inside tour. As assumed, a postcard does not do this colorful dome justice. The acoustics of this theatre were amazing after we were given a taste of a gigantic mechanical organ piece. This is not a typical day at home in Buffalo however something tells me I will have many days this out-of-the-ordinary.

    On to Las Ramblas…how do I explain Las Ramblas. The busiest street in Barcelona starting at Plaza Catalunya, (the city center) and ending at the Christopher Columbus statue located at the harbor. It is what one finds in between that makes Las Ramblas so unique. Lined with tourist-attracting restaurants and trendy clothing stores, it is between the storefronts that caught my eye. Hundreds of people walking no matter what the time of day, this street contains magazine stands, floral stands, human statues of fairies and cowboys, along with a Michael Jackson impersonator who is quite awful I must admit.

    Some of the strangest characters are dressed up on this street, ladies in fat suits or literally enveloped in colorful fruits from head to toe. Last but not least Las Ramblas houses multiple imposters of Spain’s soccer god Ronaldinho, who although looks a bit like an early man, seems to have this city obsessed. If he is responsible for the soccer games I have heard so much about then appearance aside I am a fan as well.

    I have resorted to learning the rest of this city simply by exploring and seeing where my day takes me. Embarrassingly, my journey to Barcelona started with a trip to Barnes and Noble to purchase a travel guide as every student here is reluctant to admit but I will be my own guide this semester and see where this city takes me.

please read on for more entries. - Entry #2

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The Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market is considered by many to be the best market of its type in Western New York. In fact, Artvoice recognized the market in its most recent “Best of Buffalo” issue and, judging from the ever increasing crowds, its a sentiment shared by many.

Hours of Operation

Open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm each Saturday from mid-May through the end of November, the market is located in beautiful Bidwell Parkway at the corner of Elmwood Avenue.

A Producer Only Market

The Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market is a producer-only market, meaning that all our vendors grow or produce what they sell themselves—absolutely no reselling is allowed. In this way, our patrons know they are dealing directly with source—no middlemen, no compromises. They also know they’re helping to create a healthy and diverse local economy.

http://www.elmwoodmarket.org/

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The Buffalo Botanical Gardens has some great summer events that you are sure to love. Please find some information about The Buffalo Botanical Gardens and the events that they have here. Visit the Buffalo Botanical Gardens for more information.

Starry Night in the Garden

Cost: $40 - Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 17 at 9am - Tickets will only be available at www.tickets.com and TOPS Stores!
Date: 6/25/2008
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Description:

starring…Vanessa Carlton
with special guests Ferras, and Anna Nalick

Join Star 102.5 and the Gardens to celebrate the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Popular musical groups, local restaurants, wineries and breweries come together to party into the night to benefit the Gardens.

Tickets include: entry to the concert, wine, beer and delicious tidbits from local restaurants.

Go to www.tickets.com or www.mystar1025.com for more information.

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Upcoming Schedule - Find more information about upcoming shows at Buffalo’s little piece of Broadway - Shea’s Buffalo

June 18 - July 13
WICKED

June 21
Shea’s Gala featuring WICKED

June 28
ECLECTIC BOOGALOO!
with the Eclectic Improv Company
at Shea’s Smith Theatre

August 1
A TRIBUTE TO RICK JAMES
feat. TEENA MARIE

Saturday, August 23
BUFFALO BLUES FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 14 - 19
Legally Blonde the Musical

NOVEMBER 13 - 30
RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
starring the Rockettes

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Enjoy an evening under the stars!
Every Wednesday this summer, enjoy great movies paired with food, wine and the stars.
ALL MOVIES BEGIN AT DUSK-SHINE ONLY!

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www.ski4e.com

Bloomington, Indiana – March 5, 2008 – The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is pleased to announce that it has received a $25,000 educational grant from Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Deerfield, Illinois. COTA will use these funds for a new, nationwide volunteer and donor cultivation/retention program called, “Miracle Makers”.

“This is a very significant grant that will help us grow our volunteer and donor base in all 50 states,” said T. Michael Ford, COTA’s Chairman of the Board. “COTA is thrilled that a worldwide pharmaceutical company of the caliber of Astellas has recognized the critical work we are doing to help children receive a second chance at life by engaging volunteers and donors in every corner of our country.”

As part of the” Miracle Makers” program, The Ski4e foundation/ fundraiser has been honored to receive $10,000.00 of this grant to be paid over the next two years to support its fundraising efforts towards children’s COTA campaigns as well as assisting in research into pediatric liver disease.

Astellas Pharma US, Inc. is a U.S. affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. “Our 20-year commitment to science and education in the field of immunology has helped advance the care of transplant patients,” said Stanley Bukofzer, M.D., Vice President Medical Affairs at Astellas. “We are proud to support COTA and Ski4e for the important work the organization does to support patient families.”

Ski4e was started by Chad & Debbie Glaser. Ethan affectionately known as “E” by friends and family is the son of Debbie and Chad Glaser. Ethan was born with Biliary Atresia, a rare liver disease. On June 6th, 2003 Chad was honored to be Ethan’s live liver donor and gave Ethan the ultimate gift, his “Gift of Life”! The focus of Ski4e foundation / fundraiser is to raise money to assist in the research and cure for pediatric liver disease, financially assist children and their families in the costs associated with organ transplantation, and to educate the community on the importance of organ donation. For more information on Ski4e, please visit the Ski4e web site at www.ski4e.com

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EB Green’s - Buffalo Restaurants

Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14202 - 716-855-4870

When staying overnight at the Hyatt Downtown, me and some of my buddies took our dates to the restaurant’s steak house, EB Green’s. We had heard some really good things about the restaurant and wanted to go out for a nice steak.

Most of us are pretty big steak guys so we were looking forward to having a solid steak at a nice steakhouse. It is tough to get a good meal when you are dealing with a college kid’s budget but it was a special occasion so we figured we would go all out.

Having been to the Buffalo Chop House, and Hutch’s, as well as some of the top steakhouses downstate in Manhattan, we have a decent background when making decisions on if we think a place is up to par.

I have to say that we all enjoyed our meals as did our dates. The overall atmosphere of the restaurant is solid and would definitely be a good place to bring a date. I started out with some “French Onion Soup”, a personal favorite, while my date had the “Coconut Battered Shrimp”. Both were great and the rest of our party seemed to enjoy all their appetizers as well. Along with our appetizers we had a bottle of wine. There’s nothing like going out for the night and kicking back a couple of appetizers, a bottle of wine and a nice juicy steak.

And the steaks were just that, juicy. EB Green’s definitely ranks up there with the rest of the steak houses in Buffalo as one of the best. The only downside that I experienced during my visit was the bill. As far as steakhouses go, the food was good, the atmosphere was good, and the overall meal was very good. However, and this may have to do with the fact that it is a hotel restaurant, I found that EB Green’s was a bit overpriced.

Compared to a place like the Buffalo Chop House, which is a bit pricey on its own, I found EB Green’s to be even more expensive. As I said before, EB Green’s does rank up there with the better steakhouses in Buffalo, however I find that price wise it ranks even higher. Unfortunatly, in my experience, I have not found the overall dining experience at EB Green’s to be worth the extra $. If spending a little extra doesn’t bother you, then by all means I say go for it. However if you want to get the same level meal I would recommend Chop House, Hutch’s or Fiamma Steak House on Hertel.

If you have any comments about EB Green’s, please feel free to post them here. Thank you for visiting and we hope that you found this post helpful. If you would like to contact us please see our contact page

This is post 2 of our Weekly Featured Restaurants Section. Check back every week for more or send us an email to be added to our mailing list. Our mailing list will inform you of new posts and special offers and discounts for your favorite Buffalo Area Restaurants and Dining Establishments.

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I hope to offer some insight to an important question facing many college students and more specifically UB college students - “How do I make an impression with my teachers?” Again, I won’t say that I am any kind of expert or even someone who should be giving out advice, but if your interested check it out.

Going to a big school has many advantages such as a large student body, a wide range of majors and minors, very often a sports team to cheer for (not so much in the case of UB) and much more. However, with all of these advantages comes a very significant disadvantage.

A large student body usually results in large class sizes. This can mean a real loss of any significant connection with your Professors, TAs, and even other students. From my own experience, I know that a bad or absent relationship with professors can lead to missing out on a valuable opportunity. What opportunity you may ask? Well to be honest, the opportunity to get better grades.

Building relationships with your teachers as well as your TAs is an invaluable part of getting better grades. Have you ever been late on a paper for a legitimate reason and had your professor not care? Well that may be attributed to the fact that you have never set yourself apart from the other 100 students in your class or the other 300-400 students that may be in your professor’s other classes.

Setting yourself apart can be as simple as sending emails or contributing in class. I have found that teachers are more open to give you the benefit of the doubt if they know who you are. Pretty simple and straight forward if you think about it. However, this little piece of “advice” helped me pass quite a few classes.

If you start emailing your teachers on a weekly basis about anything, this will be a good place to start. Email them about anything from something they said in class or a question about the readings that you are supposed to be doing or even something happening in the news that you think they would be interested in. Furthermore, try to make sure that you make some kind of contribution during every class. Again… anything. It doesn’t matter. The whole plan is to put a name to the face or a face to the name or whatever.

Hopefully as a result of building these relationships with your professors, when you find yourself having to hand in a paper or other assignment late, your teacher will let it slide. Furthermore, the ever important attendance factor becomes less important because you have connected with your teachers on some kind of a personal level. Trust me, build these relationships and you will find those Cs becoming Bs and getting your teachers to give you those few extra points to get that A wont be an issue.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post a response. Thank you for your interest of UBE, Inc. and UBEntertained.com and I hope you enjoy the site.

Seth Meyerowitz
Founder & CEO
UBE, Inc. & UBEntertained.com
http://www.UBEntertained.com

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UBE, Inc. & UBEntertained.com
Seek ambitious students eager for Real World experience

UBE, Inc. & UBEntertained.com are looking for ambitious students interested in gaining real world experience in the areas of Copywriting, Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations, and/or Editorial/Writing.

If you are interested in working with a young, up-and-coming, internet startup company whose aim is to inform and educate local college students on the many things their local community has to offer, then UBE, Inc. may be the right place for you.

After only 1 year of existence, UBEntertained.com has reached a significant internet milestone of over 10,000+ visitors. Offering great information about local restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and many other local establishments, UBEntertained.com continues to strive to be a leading resource for Buffalo area individuals. Beyond the service we offer to our patrons, UBE, Inc. & UBEntertained.com continue to work with local and national charity organizations to help them in furthering their own efforts.

In the continuing hope to bring our users the most updated and more importantly, useful information, UBEntertained.com is looking for eager, hard working individuals to work as “Content Specialists”. Contributing articles about topics ranging from; “My Most Memorable College Experience” to “Advice for Incoming Freshman”, UBEntertained.com Content Specialists will work towards expanding the most important part of the site, our content.

Work at your own pace and gain great industry and real world experience. Whether you are looking for some real world work experience for your resume or working towards fine tuning your writing skills, then do not let this opportunity pass you by!

Take a moment to contact UBE, Inc & UBEntertained.com for more information about joining our staff. Please send an email to jobs@ubentertained.com and take an important step towards a career in the industry of your choice!

For more information please contact us at jobs@ubentertained.com

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What is networking? Networking has many meanings but for the sake of this post let’s just say that it is the “act of connecting yourself with other people”. Some of the reasons why one might “network” are to make friends, meet those of the opposite sex, and develop professional relationships.

As a former professor and a mentor has always told me: “College is a great time to build your network”. When you think about the fact that you will spend 4, or in my case 5, years with 20,000+ people it may be a bit intimidating. However, think about this not as an intimidation but a fantastic opportunity.

In my years at the University of Buffalo I did the best I could to forget that I was actually at school. I joined a fraternity and passed the time partying all night and sleeping all day. I was never able to find something that grabbed my attention enough to pull me out of party mode. I finally realized that it was time to get my act together and was lucky enough to do so before it was too late. Throughout my college career, there are several people that I was able to make some solid connections with. Later on, these relationships have proven to be very valuable.

Furthermore, other then have a ton of parties and some good friends, being part of a Fraternity has been an extremely valuable resource in building my network. This is something that I would recommend to any student in college. It is a great way to begin building relationships with people who will be emerging into the job market with you and will be great contacts for future business relationships.

Now that I have graduated and moved back to my hometown on Long Island, I have continued to work on my network. I am an active participant in the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce and the Bellmore Kiwanis Club. These are community organizations and just about every town in America has them. These are fantastic places to continue to meet new people and work on expanding your network. I am currently working in the internet advertising and marketing industry and continue to do work on this site. Other the operating UBE, Inc. and UBEntertained.com I make websites and do some computer consulting. The side work is great and is nice for extra money on top of my salary. Being involved in these organizations makes it possible for me to continue to meet people who may need some of the services that I offer.

We all know how popular myspace and facebook have become in today’s society and the fact of the matter is that these websites are networks. They are a place to go to expand your network by meeting new people and maintaining relationships with your friends. Furthermore, it is often the case that you meet people that you would never have met if you were not on the site. So utilize these sites to the best of your ability and make the most out of the free networking you are able to accomplish from using them.

I am not attempting to say that I have this whole networking thing “down to a t”, but I think that I have been taking steps to improve my network that some other individuals may be interested in. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to send us a response. Thank you for your interest of UBE, Inc. and UBEntertained.com and I hope you enjoy the site.

Seth Meyerowitz
Founder & CEO
UBE, Inc. & UBEntertained.com
http://www.UBEntertained.com

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Hutch’s is a restaurant that most out-of-towners do not know about. However, I have been to Hutch’s several times and have to say that it rivals all others as one of the best restaurants in the Buffalo area.

From the front, Hutch’s looks like a run of the mill restaurant. Nothing special and to be honest, a “hole in the wall place”. When you walk inside, you are not blown away by the ambiance. The space is small in the front and opens up towards the back. The best way to describe the atmosphere may be “cosy”.

Don’t let appearances fool you!

Start out with a bottle of wine and some appetizers. The “Thai High Calamari” is fantastic as is just about everything else on the menu. If you cannot find anything on the menu that catches your eye, go for one of the always popular specials. The menu and specials are always changing but I promise you will not be disappointed.

My personal favorite is the Hutch’s “Steak Frite” a 18oz. Ribeye served with steak fries and black truffle butter. They have some great seafood dishes as well.

If you not interested in a full blown meal, Hutch’s also has a low key bar in the back. With a couple of flat screens, it is a nice change of pace from the more romantic atmosphere of the restaurant area.

As for pricing, Hutch’s is definiatly not cheap. Dinner for two with a bottle of wine, an appetizer and two entries will usually cost you around $200 with tip. However, I continue to come back to Hutch’s because I have never been disappointed.

If you have any comments about Hutch’s, please feel free to post them here. Thank you for visiting and we hope that you found this post helpful. If you would like to contact us please see our contact page

This is post 1 of our Weekly Featured Restaurants Section. Check back every week for more or send us an email to be added to our mailing list. Our mailing list will inform you of new posts and special offers and discounts for your favorite Buffalo Area Restaurants and Dining Establishments.

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