by Clair Elizabeth Pelella

This research experience happened to fall over my 20th Birthday, which means that I was lucky enough to be able to celebrate in España. How could I ever ask for anything more? It was a fantastic day, and not only was I able to celebrate in a beautiful foreign country, but I was also able to celebrate with amazing people. This was the first birthday where I was sung to in three different languages, English, Spanish, and Italian. It was quite the cultural experience. As if all of the aforementioned was not enough, my PIRE amigas surprised me with a pair of shoes that I had been eyeballing for weeks on end. Not only are they the cutest zapatos, but they helped me to learn the correct pronunciation of the word, which I had been pronouncing wrong. Ouch! (pronounced sa paaa tos not za pa tos) Everyday I find that I am learning something new related to linguistics.  The night ended with postre topped with nocilla, which is the Spanish version of nutella, a chocolate hazelnut spread that is one of the most delicious food in Spain besides morcilla and gelato of course! I couldn’t have asked for a better day, my 20th birthday will be one that I never forget!