Yes, I admit it, everybody was right: I like it here. I cried my way through the first week and a half, and things slowly got better. Of course I have my bad days, especially when my Spanish abilities randomly disappear, but I realized over the weekend during my program's trip to Barcelona that I actually really, really like Spain.
I am going to be honest here. I was not entirely happy the last two and a half years of my life. Heck, the second half of senior year wasn't all that great either, so we could actually make it three years. Lots of things happened, which I won't go into specifics about, but the last few years have been made up of monumental changes, a lack of knowing what I wanted to do with my life, and the realization that everything isn't as easy anymore. It seemed as though one thing would happen after another, and I could never be fully happy (although don't get me wrong, I did have great moments and have met a ton of amazing people the last few years!). Sometimes I would pity myself (which was dumb, and I hope to never do that again), but I made it through, and I see this abroad experience as my reward. I am fully and completely happy with my life, myself, and the people who play big parts in my life. Being here has reminded me of how lucky I am to have the greatest, most caring friends and a supportive family. I know people always say these things, and then later forget that feeling and start taking everything for granted again. However, I am going to try very hard to not take anything for granted again. I want to be happy and I am happy, and most of all being in a foreign country where I have to speak in a different language has given me the confidence to fight through anything that may come my way. I mean, I still get lost every single time I try to go to soccer practice, so being back at UConn will be a piece of cake. It's impossible to care about what people think when you mess up a foreign language more than five times a day...you just have to laugh at yourself!
On another note, I think I am losing my hair. Don't be surprised if I come back bald, because my hair is seriously falling out. I don't understand why and the only answer I can come up with is that the air here is super dry. I have other things that aren't so good: I have gained a few pounds, which is to be expected, but I hate being out of shape, my face is breaking out for some reason, my clothes are almost all completely ruined (my Señora is not incredibly gentle with my clothing), and I will return home with probably only two pairs of shoes (not counting my soccer cleats). I also have not slept more than 6 hours a night since ooh, around January, so I am a walking zombie at times. But, despite these small inconveniences, I am having a great time.
On a brighter note: my Spanish is significantly better, I have made several new friends, I want to live in Barcelona someday (along with London, Switzerland, and Florence...looks like I am going to have to marry rich), and most of all, I have fallen in love.
...I'm serious.
His name is Lionel. He is cute, about 5'7", and plays soccer. I guess he is pretty good or something, because I found a video of him on youtube:
Apparently he is a big deal here in Spain.
Okay, maybe he might be the best soccer player in the world, and maybe I have a little schoolgirl-like crush on him, but hey, I think I have a chance!
More seriously, Lionel Messi is absolutely unreal and by far the best soccer player I have ever watched. Fischer always praises my crossover move (that I probably do too often), and I'm hoping that if I watch Messi enough, maybe mine can rival his (ha ha ha, right). Also, when I marry him, he can buy me houses in all the places I want to live! Yes mom, he is a nice Jewish boy, I promise...(ignore that he crosses himself and points to the sky after he scores a goal).
Anyways, Barcelona is a unique and beautiful city that I plan on visiting again someday. Parque Güell, a park designed by the architect Gaudi, is colorful and bright and I didn't want to leave. My friends and I took a ridiculous amount of pictures there because we loved it so much, and I definitely want to go back in the future. Later that night, a few friends and I watched the Barcelona game at a bar called "Obama." Yes, really. They even had a Obama statue at the bar!
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| Sitting in Parque Güell and loving it! :) |
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| Chillin' with the president in Spain...yep. |
Alyssa, Ari and Ally invited me to Palma de Mallorca this weekend (an island off the coast of Spain, next to Ibiza) and, despite my busy traveling schedule, I decided to go with them. I am excited to go because I have heard so many good things, but most of all I am excited to sit on the beach (if weather permits)!
I want to spend the next three and a half weeks truly enjoying my time left here. I don't want to forget anything, and I don't want to miss out on anything either! I am so lucky to have this opportunity and it actually stresses me out a little to think about all things I want to do before I go back to the United States. Don't get me wrong, I am excited to see all of you so soon and to be back somewhere more familiar, but for now, I am trying to take advantage of everything here! :) I am sad, however, to miss the birthdays of many of my friends. Tom, Deedee and Michelle, happy almost birthday and I'm so excited you'll all be 21 by the time I get home! :)
I found this quote last night, and it describes a lot of the feelings I have right now (plus, Granada is very Arab-influenced, and there are lots and lots of gypsies):
"The bridge will only take you halfway there, to those mysterious lands you long to see. Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fair, and moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share the twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known. But this bridge will only take you halfway there. The last few steps you have take alone." -Shel Silverstein
Sometimes, to become comfortable with yourself, you have to do things alone, take chances, and see new things.
Hasta luego, everybody! Barcelona is playing tonight in the Champions League vs. Chelsea, and I have to support my man. Barcelona is also playing Real Madrid Saturday, which is the Spanish equivalent of Red Sox vs. Yankees. So, I leave you with this part of the FC Barcelona song (the English version, because I certainly do not know or understand that funky Catalan!):
"Players, Supporters
United we are strong.
We’ve achieved much over the years,
We’ve shouted many goals
And we have shown, we have shown,
That no one can ever break us.
Blue and claret blowing in the wind
One valiant cry
We’ve got a name that everyone knows:
Barça, Barça, Baaarça!"
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