Moving on....

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss. I keep telling myself that life is about the lessons you learn and the moments that allow you to grow. This past month in Spain was amazing and probably one of the greatest things I've ever done. I would advise anyone to go in the future. I got a chance to do some things that I will never forget, share memories that will stick with me always, and have stories to tell for years to come. I'm really sad to say goodbye to my host family who I've lived with here in Spain, to my teachers, and random acquaintances whom have turned into friends. Last night, most of the study abroad group had a final dinner together. We spent the night living in the moment, having good laughs and good times before eventually ending the night at our favorite bar "La Media Pinta". I am officially retiring the nickname "Frangria" No more crazy nights full of Sangria for me! Yesterday, I also finished with my final exams and tomorrow I receive my diploma at a special ceremony for everyone at school. This weekend I'm spending most of my time packing up my room and traveling to Madrid for a final time. Less than 4 days left. Going to miss the energy that comes from the people and buildings of that city. I'm going to miss a lot of things about this country. I'm going to miss sharing a classroom with other students from all across the world, places like China, Korea, Brazil, and Canada come to mind. We all learned together and each brought something different to the table. I'm going to miss walking around in a constant state of being lost. I've learned so much by opening my mind, closing my expectations, and listening. I got the chance to see something different and I reached out and grabbed it. 

¡Hasta luego!

Live a little

Every weekend, I find myself looking out of a train window up at the clouds or the night sky. What dream would you want to come alive if you had the chance? What goals you didn't reach and the ones that you are close to reaching, but can't often find the motivation to work harder. I close my eyes and then I open them to see if reality is really real. I wonder if all of the good things that have ever happened in my life were because of good luck, fate, or pure coincidence. I wonder if all the bad things were caused for all the bad things I've done and all the bad things I've thought about doing. Life comes so quickly, I blinked one time and missed out on everything in front of me.  This past weekend, I made my last traveling trip around Spain. The train ride was 4 1/2 hours long.  The train itself was kind of crappy compared to others we have traveled on, but i can't complain. The six of us that decided to go to Granada stayed in this really cool hostel in the middle of the city. Everything was close by. The experience this time was better than the weekend in Barcelona. We all stayed together in one room and spent the weekend together. I now have 7 days left in this amazing country. I really don't want to leave just yet. We saw alot in Granada. It's most famous attraction is the Alhambra, which is an old moorish palace built during the 9th century. It was amazing to see, so much cool architecture. Granada is probably my second favorite city since I've been here behind my weekly trips to madrid. This coming week will be bittersweet, spending the next few days studying for my final exam for school. Taking spanish dance lessons tonight. Hanging with my two best friends Bethany and Maddie. Check out bethany's blog @ bethany127.blogspot.com and live through her adventures here in Spain as well! Eating at all of my favorite places one last time this week. Going to miss the food!


¡Hasta luego! 

Past, Present, and Future.

It is currently midnight here in España. I'm looking out of my window, listening to the new Kanye album and catching up with social media. Staying up all night to watch game 7 of the NBA finals from halfway across the world at 3 am. Not many watch basketball here, futból aka soccer is king here. Every restaurant I go to there is a game on. I even witnessed the Spanish national team on tv today win against some country like 10-0. I've been slacking lately in blog posts. I have 10 days left in Spain. That's crazy. Last weekend i ended up going to Barcelona and even though it wasn't what we imagined, it was still fun and adventurous. I stayed in hostel for the first time, which was a memorable experience in itself. We didn't find the place til after 2 am friday night. It was 13 of us, and Joanna was along with us on this adventure because she came over from the states because it  was Bryant's birthday weekend. THe hostel was sketchy and hip at the same time. I wouldn't mind staying their again if i traveled to barcelona again. Although we had 2 rooms reserved for all of us and we still ended up being split up from each other. The thing about hostels are the sketchiness makes it fun because everyone you meet is from a different place. I met a couple from chicago, a woman from mexico, 2 girls from vermont and new york who both have lived in mississippi before or have had connections to mississippi. I met a group of French girls who i ended up sharing my room with haha, they didn't speak english so it was rough at times. These were all the cool people i met, there was also random people who freaked people out. I ended up overpaying about 20 euros for the hostel than i should have. I guess we were all tired and gave them too much money without realizing. Barcelona is a huge city with so much to see and do. There is so much style there and lots of energy from the people.  Being in a foreign place these past few weeks have made me realize how much is out there in the world. You're in constant interaction with people from all over the world. I feel like I'm waking up each day with knowledge about something in the world that I didn't know the day before. Tomorrow i leave for the south of Spain to Granada. I'm ready to experience everything there and take it all in. We're staying in another hostel again, hopefully this time will be better. Only a few more days of school left, i've learned a lot. My host mom's birthday is Sunday. She doesn't know that i know. I wonder how we will celebrate. 

Tengas un buen día!

Good vibes

One thing i love about Spain is that the sun doesn't go down til after 10:00 at night. It is just a chill place. I've thought about a lot of things while i have been here. I close my eyes and see a picture perfect sunset, looking up in the open sky. Life is the perfect teacher, i learn so much daily by just listening. This past weekend, me and some friends ended up going to a cool town called Toledo in search of new adventure. It was really awesome. There was so much to see. I realize my time here is coming closer to an end in a few weeks, it makes me nervous because i wonder if i am ready to leave. I'm trying to see as much as I can before I leave. I'll try to keep you guys updated as much as possible. I eat lots of bread (el pan), cheese (queso), and meat (la carne) here. I've also grown an addiction for fanta "naranja" which is the spanish word for orange. I hate fantas, but they are so good here and have them everywhere. I will possibly try to smuggle a bag full of these back to the states with me haha. 

Hasta luego!

Days come and they go.

The last few days have been rather interesting. Lots of adventures throughout town. We all stick out like sore thumbs to the locals. Today was the first day of class, and I'm in the easiest class imaginable. We said the alphabet in spanish and colored with colored pencils today, still debating on staying in that class and take the month easy or move up another level, guess i'll make a decision tomorrow. Alot of the food is really great, we eat out at least once or twice a day, they have tapas bars here which is like ordering a drink and you get free appetizers with it which is awesome because most only cost 2 or 3 euros which is nothing at all. They have Mcdonalds and Kfc's here too, and mcdonalds sells beer. They don't have sweet tea like back in the states, which is something I'm addicted too. The time goes by so fast, i wake up around 7:45 am which is like 12:45 at night back home, and go to class from 9-1:30 everyday. A lot of the streets on my way to school look exactly the same, so I have to leave home early to make it on time. There's so many spanish customs, like meeting a lady or girl you air kiss each cheek. A lot of the Spanish take "siestas" which are like naps, it's usually around 2-4. They take this seriously, a lot of businesses close down during this time to take a siesta. We go out almost every night around 10 and stay out until about 2 or 3. I think i'm learning the most by daily interaction with spanish, like ordering in bars and restaurants, having to talk to people when needing help. NO ONE hardly speaks english and looks at you like you have a disease. You end up making hand motions and sounds and look stupid in the process. Planning a trip to Barcelona this weekend, that will probably be pretty awesome.  Hoping to go back to madrid soon too, so much to see and places to go there.  

Hasta luego!

Lost in translation

my oh my. these people speak another language. i closed my eyes and thought i was in mexico or somewhere, trying to escape to the united states on the bus ride from the airport. made it safely. 9 hour flight was cool. did not sleep. My whole idea of this trip came to life at the airport in chicago. While waiting for the layover to pass, there were so many different cultures of people together. All of us waiting for our flight. It was a cool thing to see. Even the Spanish airline was cool, the flight attendants spoke english and spanish to everybody. They knew i didn't speak español though, so they kept it real and spoke english. my la familia for the month is pretty cool. I was nervous when we met. I'm just now waking up at my home for the month, ready to take on adventure since i've finally gotten some rest.  my phone only works on wifi so far, so bear with me. the time adjustment is crazy! it's 6 olock in the afternoon here! and probably like 11 am in the morning back home. sorry mis amigos if i texted you when i made it, while it was like 3 am back home. i'm looking out my window, writing, listening to the sounds of los niños play futból across the street. Somebody keep me updated with the nba playoffs tonight!   Hasta luego!