15 Things I learned This semester

1. How to blog
2. How to create a website
3. How to use Amazon Associates
4. How to use Google Ad sense on my website
5. How to create Cafe press products
6. How to use and create a click bank account
7. How to use and create a Paypal account
8. How to create Ezine articles
9. How to use Google Analytics and create an account
10. I learned how to create an executive summary for my e-business plan
11. I learned how to submit my website to submit express
12. I learned how to submit my website to yahoo.com
13. I learned how to submit my website to google.com
13. I learned how to create a marketplace analysis for my E-business plan
14. I learned how all about computer cookies, and the different kinds of viruses that can effect my computer.
15. I learned all about search engines (Google) and how they operate and rank websites.

Amsterdam

An unforgettable day in Amsterdam -  COMING SOON!

Toulouse, France

Toulouse, in Southern France. - COMING SOON!

Nantes, France

Nantes, France - COMING SOON!

Paris

An unforgettable trip to Paris, France   -  COMING SOON!!!

Biarritz, France

South France -  Rated # 1 most beautiful beach in Europe  - COMING SOON!

Nerac, France

Nerac, France.  Wine Country  - COMING SOON!

I highly recommend studying abroad in Europe

I have changed tremendously as a result of my experience living and traveling abroad. My confidence when it comes to traveling within another country, a major US city, or just traveling in general has sky rocketed now, because I have done it all in Europe. I have now used public busses, taxis, metros, underground tubes, many airports, and high speed trains to get around. Never before have I used so much public transportation and I did not think it would be as easy as it was. Reading maps and following directions is a breeze to me now, after I pretty much read one everyday abroad.  My time management skills have become very efficient as a result of traveling abroad. I really enjoyed our busy schedule, but in the first week or so, it was a little over whelming. Once I became used to the routine, I began fitting in more things I did not think I had time for throughout the days. While in Europe, I have never been so busy from sun rise to sun set in my life. I am the kind of person that has to keep moving and stay busy so I loved it once I got used to it. I have changed in that aspect because, now, I have been doing and fitting more things in my day, then before the trip. I never thought I could do that. All in all, I highly recommend studying abroad during college. It opens you mind up and you will have memories you will remember for a life time. 

Certified Jameson Whiskey Tester

When it comes to the great memories I had in Europe, my list is endless. One of my best memories occurred when I visited the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery in Dublin, Ireland. While there, we went on a tour of the entire Distillery. There were about 50 to 60 people per group for the tour. During the beginning of our tour, I was one of the lucky eleven to be chosen to be a certified Jameson Whiskey tester at the end of the tour. The tour guide choice the testers. My friend got chosen as well. We got to sit at this table in front of everyone else and test Scottish Whiskey, American Whiskey (Jack Daniel’s), and the famous Jameson Irish Whiskey. There was a place mat with a class of water. The Jack Daniel’s was singled distilled, the Scottish Whiskey was double distilled, and the Jameson Irish Whiskey was tripled distilled. We tasted each one over three times, while taking a drink of water in between to rise out or mouth. We gave our opinions after sampling the three whiskeys and without a doubt we all seven of us choose Jameson as the best one; because of its smooth triple distilled taste. 

The truth is, I really did think the Jameson Whiskey tasted the finest. This is one of my happiest memories because I will never forget getting chosen and going up there. I framed the certificate I was given and every time I look at it on my wall I think of that unforgettable awesome day. 

One of my best memories

I had a handful of best unforgettable memories while I was in Europe.  One of my best memories would be my host family. When they first picked me up in a camper from the park, I knew they would be cool and nice. It was my host mom, dad and they two girls, aged 17 and 19.  I had a very warm welcome from all of them. They lived in a very nice house in the hills of Bristol, England. I really liked the dinners they prepared for us. I have never tried so many different kinds of food in my life. We had everything from English burgers to Mediterranean sea food. I looked forward to dinner at 19:00 every night because I would always learn so much during our conversations. After dinner we also always talked in the living room while we watched the news or football. We talked about everything from the differences in politics to our cultural differences. They were really nice when they let me borrow a prepaid local phone, in which I used for two weeks. Also, just so my roommate and I can have our own rooms, my host parents slept outside a camper parked on their driveway. They gave both my roommate and I out own keys so we can let ourselves in at night. I am definitely going to go visit them sometime in the future and they are always welcome to stay at my home, when they travel to the United States. 

Life in England

Life in England, especially Bristol, is very different from here in the States. The first thing I noticed when I arrived in England was how small the cars were. I saw one Suburban the entire three weeks in Bristol. I could not stop talking about how everyone was so relaxed in Bristol compared to back here. Many people walk everywhere in Bristol as opposed to having to drive everywhere where I live. I thought it was interesting how they have a law against beeping your car horn in Bristol. When it comes to the roads in Bristol, it is way different. The roads were so skinny, the people have to park their little cars half way onto the side walk. I have never seen people park their cars like that here in the U.S. I noticed how there were barley any car garages throughout Bristol due to the space. Being in the car while they drive on the other side of the road took a few days to get used to. The houses all look pretty much exactly the same compared to houses here as well.  All of Bristol was hilly compared to the plains back here in Illinois. I did not see one corn field when I was in England, and that is way different because I drive past corn fields the entire way down to ISU. In London and Dublin I noticed that there was a lot of security walking around with huge guns. It is different because I have never seen security like that in the US.

I also noticed how life was different when it comes to drinking alcohol in England, but especially Bristol. They are a lot more relaxed when it comes to their view on drinking beer in general. Their lifestyle of drinking would be considered border line alcoholism here in the U.S. I noticed that the younger people start drinking at pubs a lot earlier than here at ISU. Their view towards lager and cider in Bristol is, as if it is good for you. I also noticed how in Bristol/England here are no average restaurants; like a Chili’s here. Life is different because it seemed as if they people only go out to expensive or really inexpensive restaurants, if they go out at all. Public transportation in Bristol and England is different as well, there are a lot of double decker busses and high speed trains.    

3 Countries & 5 Train Stations in 24 hours

I was especially proud of myself on the day I met my family. It all started when two friends and I decided to take quick trip to Amsterdam from Brussels, Belgium. We booked a hotel the day, packed up our stuff, and said good buy to everyone and caught a taxi to the Brussels-Central Train Station. When we arrived, we booked the first train to Amsterdam.

Upon arriving, we walked to our hotel (which was only about a half mile).  In the morning after only getting a few hours sleep, I walked back to Amsterdam Central Station and booked a train ticket to Nantes, France for that afternoon. Nantes is a small town located in West France.  I hopped on the train and arrived in Paris where I had to change train stations.  Alone, I had to take a taxi from one train station(Paris Nord), to the other one (Paris Montparnasse). Due to my train arriving in Paris 25 minutes late and sitting in grid locked Paris; I ended up missing my train to Nantes. When I arrived at the other train station, I looked at that huge board, with all the departures, and ran as fast as I can with three bags to catch another one leaving to Nantes. I spoke a little French and the conductor let me on because he saw how I missed my train. Minutes later, the train left. When I finally arrived in the small city of Nantes, nothing was written in English underneath the signs, like the Paris train stations. I followed the pictures on the signs, read a little French, and got out of there. It was by chance that my family’s hotel was very close to the train station. When I finally met up with my family and my cousins I was shaking because, within 24 hours, I was in five train stations (Brussels-Central, Amsterdam  Central Station, Paris Nord, Paris Montparnasse, Nantes)and three countries (Belgium, Netherlands, France).

 I now look back on that day and give myself a pat on the back because I never thought that I could do what I did, let alone, before. Now when I go to Chicago or any major city, I am not going to think twice about my ability to get around. 

Sneeze Page: My Archive of Favorite Blogs

I have written many blogs on Europebehindthescenes, Here is a list of my favorite ones.

Inside the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin In this blog I give a behind the scenes view of inside the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland. I thought this place was really cool because there is not many places like this on earth. The Guinness Storehouse is a place I highly recommend you visit while you are in Dublin.
 
The Tower of London and Tower Bridge Tower Bridge was and the Tower of London were really cool places to see. While in London, I highly recommend you go visit them. There is so much history it’s amazing.
 
Dublin: The Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery  In this blog I give a behind the scenes view of inside the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery in Dublin, Ireland. While visiting the Distillery, I was very lucky to be chosen to be a certified Irish Whiskey Jameson Tester. The Jameson Distillery, along with the Storehouse, are places I highly recommend you visit while you are in Dublin.

London: The Palace of Westminster, Behind the Scenes  The Palace of Westminster is a very remarkable place to visit. As a part of the program I was in, we were given the unique opportunity to go inside for a tour I will never forget.
 
Inside my 1st day in London, England While in Europe, you have to see the awesome city of London. There are so many sites to see in this city that you have to plan ahead. I highly recommend you see and visit London!

Irish Countryside This blog is about my trip to the Irish Countryside, south of Dublin. It is beautiful I highly recommend you read this blog and go on a tour to the Countryside while in Dublin.