Leading up to my time here, it seemed that everyone I spoke to in the US had one major question for me (to which I could give them no answer): "So do you have a place to live yet?"
The fact that I didn't know where I would be living wasn't really a concern for me. I mean, yeah, I knew I would have to go through the daunting process of apartment hunting, in a foreign city, in a foreign language... but these things always have a way of working themselves out, right?
(Or so I thought.)
I have been in Sevilla for three full days now, two of which have been jammed packed with apartment hunting. I must have called about 20 people, walked in circles around the places I am thinking about living in, taken down flier after flier from the university, searched for hours online, visited several apartments, and yet I still feel like I'm coming up with nothing.
Last year, things worked out so easily, so quickly. I got a phone call (notice that I was on the receiving end!) about a room for rent, on my second day there, and it came with English classes to boot! And that situation seemed ideal, but most of us know that in some ways, it wasn't. (The piso itself was good though, don't get me wrong...)
I think I may be jaded this time around. I have looked at an apartment here that I do like. A lot, I think. I could see myself living there. The location is fantastic. And it's an improvement in almost every way from where I was last year... almost. (But now I'll have to share a bathroom with 3 other people .. two of whom are males.) I have only met one of the potential roommates. And there's an older guy living there, which is some cause for question. So, once again, the apartment seems great, but the fear of the living situation is what's holding me back.
I told myself not to jump into the first apartment I saw (like last year), and 8 apartments later, I'm still having trouble dipping my toes into the water. While I'm busy being Little Miss Fickle over here, I'm afraid that if I do decide that I want the piso, it will be gone by the time I'm ready to call. So I'm feeling time pressure, which is making me feel even more cautious. And I was hoping to be in a place before I start working (Monday!)
Where is that Staples Easy Button when you need it?
I wouldn't mind some prayer on the topic -- that I will know what opportunity is right for me, and also for peace in the meantime.
Really guys, though this is nerve-racking, I keep reminding myself that this is the worst part. Not having a routine and a permanent address are just some of the little things you have to get over when you move to a new city. But once this all gets sorted out, I'll get back to the regularly scheduled adventures.
9/30/2011
9/27/2011
The Journey & The Arrival
Well friends, I am safe and sound in España. I made it to Madrid on Saturday morning, to Toledo on Saturday afternoon, and finally, to Sevilla last night around 11pm. Needless to say, it has been a very exhausting first few days here. Jet-lag is not my friend --neither is the extranjería, and neither are manual cars.
When I got into Madrid, I was surprised by how normal everything felt. I was so happy to be back in Spain! (And still am!) My bags were pretty much the first ones off of the belt (lifetime first!), and within a few minutes, I was in a taxi and on my way to Atocha. I decided to take the train, because, well, after traveling for 15 hours, the last thing I want to do is sit on a bus for another hour. But the train thing didn't work out as well as I had hoped. Because it was a Saturday morning, and a whole slew of German tourists were excited about spending their day in Toledo, I had to wait 3 hours at the train station until the next available train. Uggggh. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I had to be vigilant of my belongings. Aside from the wait though, the trip was fine. I fell asleep before we left the platform, I believe, and I woke up to the "Bienvenidos a Toledo" message over the speakers.
My days in Toledo were nice. I didn't have to be worrying about apartments yet. I was still pretty relaxed, and just generally excited to be there. I have deep love for Toledo. I will surely miss it! Perhaps the most productive aspect of my short stay there was that I was able to get my extranjería papers in order. I spent my whole summer waiting for a letter to come from them, and I found out upon my return to Toledo that the notice for the letter showed up THE DAY I LEFT! 2 HOURS AFTER I LEFT! Whaaat! It was intercepted and left in my apartment, and my neighbor never saw it. She was the one that I gave the special instructions to! So I decided to try to get a hold of this letter on Monday before leaving Toledo. I spent my whole morning (8:30am-1:00pm) running around to sort it out. I finally got what I needed done, after visiting the post office, a random government office that I was directed to, waiting 3 hours at the extranjería, and then going to the bank. I was able to pay my taxes, and now I just have to wait -- for about 3 more months! It was a pain, but I am so glad that I got things sorted out as best as I could. Obviously, this put a delay on our departure time to Sevilla. We wanted to leave around 11am, but since I only got back after 1pm, and the car rental office closed at 1:30 for siesta, we had to wait until 4:30 for it to reopen. So that's what we did. And by about 5pm we were on our way!
OH The journey!
As most of you probably know, I only learned to drive a stick LAST WEEK. That does not make me an expert by any means. After my second lesson, I was much more comfortable with it -- but transport me to another continent, and that confidence whittled into cowardice. Driving on the highway was, for the most part, totally fine. Aside from the city driving, the mountains, exit ramps, construction traffic, and Spain being generally more hilly than I remember it being, it wasn't so bad. But those are a lot of "asides". I'm happy to report that we were totally fine. There weren't any major problems, aside from stalling on the highway in construction traffic, going up a mountain, with a large truck honking behind me -- but we made it out without a scratch! (Bailey, feel free to comment on your perceived level of security. I have to admit that I was a little nervous myself!) Let's just say, I'm proud of myself for doing it, but I have no plans on making that journey again anytime soon. The €35 bus between Sevilla and Madrid is looking even better these days.
Turning the car in at Avis! So happy to be there safe and sound! So happy to get that car off my hands!
BUT HERE I AM! Sevilla! I'm excited to be here! I can't wait to get my sea legs back, and to kick this jet-lag's butt as hard as it has been kicking mine. Now is where I begin apartment hunting in full force. Not very fun or exciting, but it's a necessary evil. Pray that I find something soon!
And I'll do my best to keep you posted!
When I got into Madrid, I was surprised by how normal everything felt. I was so happy to be back in Spain! (And still am!) My bags were pretty much the first ones off of the belt (lifetime first!), and within a few minutes, I was in a taxi and on my way to Atocha. I decided to take the train, because, well, after traveling for 15 hours, the last thing I want to do is sit on a bus for another hour. But the train thing didn't work out as well as I had hoped. Because it was a Saturday morning, and a whole slew of German tourists were excited about spending their day in Toledo, I had to wait 3 hours at the train station until the next available train. Uggggh. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I had to be vigilant of my belongings. Aside from the wait though, the trip was fine. I fell asleep before we left the platform, I believe, and I woke up to the "Bienvenidos a Toledo" message over the speakers.
My days in Toledo were nice. I didn't have to be worrying about apartments yet. I was still pretty relaxed, and just generally excited to be there. I have deep love for Toledo. I will surely miss it! Perhaps the most productive aspect of my short stay there was that I was able to get my extranjería papers in order. I spent my whole summer waiting for a letter to come from them, and I found out upon my return to Toledo that the notice for the letter showed up THE DAY I LEFT! 2 HOURS AFTER I LEFT! Whaaat! It was intercepted and left in my apartment, and my neighbor never saw it. She was the one that I gave the special instructions to! So I decided to try to get a hold of this letter on Monday before leaving Toledo. I spent my whole morning (8:30am-1:00pm) running around to sort it out. I finally got what I needed done, after visiting the post office, a random government office that I was directed to, waiting 3 hours at the extranjería, and then going to the bank. I was able to pay my taxes, and now I just have to wait -- for about 3 more months! It was a pain, but I am so glad that I got things sorted out as best as I could. Obviously, this put a delay on our departure time to Sevilla. We wanted to leave around 11am, but since I only got back after 1pm, and the car rental office closed at 1:30 for siesta, we had to wait until 4:30 for it to reopen. So that's what we did. And by about 5pm we were on our way!
OH The journey!
As most of you probably know, I only learned to drive a stick LAST WEEK. That does not make me an expert by any means. After my second lesson, I was much more comfortable with it -- but transport me to another continent, and that confidence whittled into cowardice. Driving on the highway was, for the most part, totally fine. Aside from the city driving, the mountains, exit ramps, construction traffic, and Spain being generally more hilly than I remember it being, it wasn't so bad. But those are a lot of "asides". I'm happy to report that we were totally fine. There weren't any major problems, aside from stalling on the highway in construction traffic, going up a mountain, with a large truck honking behind me -- but we made it out without a scratch! (Bailey, feel free to comment on your perceived level of security. I have to admit that I was a little nervous myself!) Let's just say, I'm proud of myself for doing it, but I have no plans on making that journey again anytime soon. The €35 bus between Sevilla and Madrid is looking even better these days.
BUT HERE I AM! Sevilla! I'm excited to be here! I can't wait to get my sea legs back, and to kick this jet-lag's butt as hard as it has been kicking mine. Now is where I begin apartment hunting in full force. Not very fun or exciting, but it's a necessary evil. Pray that I find something soon!
And I'll do my best to keep you posted!
9/23/2011
'Twas the Night Before Crossing the Ocean
This may be an all-new record. Waiting until 10:30pm the night before a transcontinental move to pull out the suitcase. But the good news is that the bags were pretty well packed and adjusted by about 1:30am. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.
I feel kind of bizarre this time around. I'm pretty excited to go back to visit my friends this week, and to start settling in to a new routine in Sevilla. But I'm still anxious about God-only-knows-what.
Maybe it's all of the coffee that I recently started drinking. And I mean, I've been drinking a lot. I've had a pumkin spice latte pretty much every day for the last 4 days. I think I understand now what they say about coffee being addicting.
Anyway, my flight doesn't leave until 3pm tomorrow. But I guess I should get to the airport early. I just never get any sleep the night before a transatlantic trip. I'm currently updating my iPod, making a good playlist, charging up my electronics, and then I'll be heading to bed.
So what am I forgetting??
I feel kind of bizarre this time around. I'm pretty excited to go back to visit my friends this week, and to start settling in to a new routine in Sevilla. But I'm still anxious about God-only-knows-what.
Maybe it's all of the coffee that I recently started drinking. And I mean, I've been drinking a lot. I've had a pumkin spice latte pretty much every day for the last 4 days. I think I understand now what they say about coffee being addicting.
Anyway, my flight doesn't leave until 3pm tomorrow. But I guess I should get to the airport early. I just never get any sleep the night before a transatlantic trip. I'm currently updating my iPod, making a good playlist, charging up my electronics, and then I'll be heading to bed.
So what am I forgetting??
9/20/2011
¡Qué nervios!
All that stuff I said about not being nervous ... yeah, it was a lie. Or at least it is now.
I have been in a state of uneasiness for the last few days. When I sit down and try to make a to-do list, my mind goes blank. I feel like I have so much to be worrying about, but I can't figure out what it is, and I don't know what I should be doing about it.
Today was a rather ridiculous day.
First, I went to have a driving lesson. I finally got behind the wheel of a stick shift. I need to practice. I definitely don't feel comfortable enough yet to drive it cross-foreign-country, but I'm going to practice again tomorrow and Wednesday. Hopefully I'll really pick it up then. The hardest part for me is starting again once I'm stopped. So we definitely need to remedy that. But ooooooooooh man. Stresssssssss.
Second, I went to read a story in Spanish to Miss Sarah's Second Grade class! So much fun! I have been working in a middle school, which is fun, but oh so totally different from a group of second graders. The kids were hilarious and adorable. Some of my favorite exchanges include:
"Oh yeah, I saw you at the grocery store before, I just didn't want to say anything...." (WHAT?! HAHA)
"Do you speak English?" (After speaking to them in nothing but English...)
"I used to read to my mom in Czech, when I was 3-5, but I had to stop when I went to kindergarten..."
Pretty much anything they say is hilarious. I loved it!
I also took a 2 hour siesta, which is absolutely ridiculous, but I guess it is just a nice way to prepare for the coming weeks. I am sure there will be many a siesta in my near future.
After my siesta, I went out with my mom, and I noticed that somebody kindly broke the side-view mirror off on the driver side of my car. LOVELY. Just what I need. This happened in front of my own freaking house. And I am not happy.
Oh, and it's official. I am a coffee drinker. I have had 3 coffee drinks this week, and I even ordered two of them of my own volition. Today I had a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Oh, it might as well be fall, folks. (And it will be, on Friday!)
Back to the brainstorming and to-do-list-making.
I have been in a state of uneasiness for the last few days. When I sit down and try to make a to-do list, my mind goes blank. I feel like I have so much to be worrying about, but I can't figure out what it is, and I don't know what I should be doing about it.
Today was a rather ridiculous day.
First, I went to have a driving lesson. I finally got behind the wheel of a stick shift. I need to practice. I definitely don't feel comfortable enough yet to drive it cross-foreign-country, but I'm going to practice again tomorrow and Wednesday. Hopefully I'll really pick it up then. The hardest part for me is starting again once I'm stopped. So we definitely need to remedy that. But ooooooooooh man. Stresssssssss.
Second, I went to read a story in Spanish to Miss Sarah's Second Grade class! So much fun! I have been working in a middle school, which is fun, but oh so totally different from a group of second graders. The kids were hilarious and adorable. Some of my favorite exchanges include:
"Oh yeah, I saw you at the grocery store before, I just didn't want to say anything...." (WHAT?! HAHA)
"Do you speak English?" (After speaking to them in nothing but English...)
"I used to read to my mom in Czech, when I was 3-5, but I had to stop when I went to kindergarten..."
Pretty much anything they say is hilarious. I loved it!
I also took a 2 hour siesta, which is absolutely ridiculous, but I guess it is just a nice way to prepare for the coming weeks. I am sure there will be many a siesta in my near future.
After my siesta, I went out with my mom, and I noticed that somebody kindly broke the side-view mirror off on the driver side of my car. LOVELY. Just what I need. This happened in front of my own freaking house. And I am not happy.
Oh, and it's official. I am a coffee drinker. I have had 3 coffee drinks this week, and I even ordered two of them of my own volition. Today I had a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Oh, it might as well be fall, folks. (And it will be, on Friday!)
Back to the brainstorming and to-do-list-making.
9/15/2011
Showers, with a high of 73
Sorry to keep you hanging!
I told myself I'd be so much better about blogging this year -- as in, I might actually attempt to do so on a semi-regular basis.
I am now 10 days away from making the trip back to Spain!
In my mind, 10 days is always a very real marker in any countdown. 10 days can be seen in the 10-day weather forecast. I now know that when I leave Pittsburgh on Friday, September 23rd, there will be showers, with a high of 73. (Though it's always subject to change.) And when I arrive in Madrid on Saturday morning, it will be sunny, with a high of 86. (That's good news, considering it was pushing 105 when I left Madrid in June!)
10 days. That's kind of crazy. It doesn't feel real yet. It never really does.
But my bank account has a -$1300 charge that says it is real. So I guess I believe it.
On an unrelated note...
I went to dinner to celebrate some friends' birthdays tonight. We went to Mallorca, a fabulous Spanish restaurant in the South Side. I got to speak Spanish with the waiters a little bit. And I saw things like gazpacho, almejas, and bacalao on the menu. Even though I don't eat those things, it felt like a familiar selection. (I ate the Pollo Mallorca...thumbs up, for sure!)
But um, the point is... I'm excited to go back. :D
I just haven't been doing a lot of planning or worrying...... and that kind of worries me.
What do I have to worry about?
I told myself I'd be so much better about blogging this year -- as in, I might actually attempt to do so on a semi-regular basis.
I am now 10 days away from making the trip back to Spain!
In my mind, 10 days is always a very real marker in any countdown. 10 days can be seen in the 10-day weather forecast. I now know that when I leave Pittsburgh on Friday, September 23rd, there will be showers, with a high of 73. (Though it's always subject to change.) And when I arrive in Madrid on Saturday morning, it will be sunny, with a high of 86. (That's good news, considering it was pushing 105 when I left Madrid in June!)
10 days. That's kind of crazy. It doesn't feel real yet. It never really does.
But my bank account has a -$1300 charge that says it is real. So I guess I believe it.
On an unrelated note...
I went to dinner to celebrate some friends' birthdays tonight. We went to Mallorca, a fabulous Spanish restaurant in the South Side. I got to speak Spanish with the waiters a little bit. And I saw things like gazpacho, almejas, and bacalao on the menu. Even though I don't eat those things, it felt like a familiar selection. (I ate the Pollo Mallorca...thumbs up, for sure!)
But um, the point is... I'm excited to go back. :D
I just haven't been doing a lot of planning or worrying...... and that kind of worries me.
What do I have to worry about?
9/07/2011
The Essentials.
So I started making a list yesterday of the essentials that I need to pack with me. Having done this a few times before, I have a better idea of what it is that I crave when I'm abroad. Peanut Butter is huge for most expats, but one jar can probably last me a year. In fact, I have a stockpile of peanut butter that I left in Spain, thanks to a few care packages sent last year. So we can check that one off the list.
What else is on the list? Most of these items are food. And hygiene products. Be forewarned.
Also note: any of these items would be gladly accepted in a care package. ;)
1. Deodorant. The Europeans just don't understand the magic of my Secret Invisible Solid. The roll-on business doesn't cut it for me. So every time I take off for Spain, I make sure to pack a Costco-sized value pack of my favorite kind.
2. Chapstick. I think you can get chapstick in Spain. At least you can probably buy lip balm or lip gloss, but I'm really particular about my brand. I haven't used anything but the teal tubes of medicated Blistex in years, and there's NO WAY I'd be able to live without it. I mean really, I might be addicted.
3. Reese's Cups. There's nothing more to say. Just trust me. Take a bag of the Reese's minis. You won't regret it.
4. Kraft Mac n Cheese. To be honest, my homesickness often comes in the form of the Blue-Box-Blues. Nothing says America like a 79 cent boxed meal of pasta and cheese powder. And it always hits the spot. I didn't think to pack this one with me last year, but when my mom came to visit in February, I had her bring a few boxes for me. This year, I will come prepared!
5. Ranch & Italian dressing. Oh, Ranch. At one point in my life, I probably had as much Ranch dressing flowing through body as I had blood in my veins. I ate it on everything! I have since scaled it way back, but I still crave a salad with Ranch every now and then. It's a little difficult to import bottles of dressing, but this year, I'm planning on bringing a small jar each of Ranch and Italian seasoning. A little mixin' and fixin' in the kitchen, and I can have a Ranch or Italian side salad whenever I darn well please!
6. Baking stuff. I love to bake -- the American way; making American deserts with American measurements. Measuring cups are essential. Last year I took a dozen silicon muffin cups with me, which was good, but it limited me to 12 muffins or cupcakes. And think about it -- when's the last time you made a cupcake recipe that only made 12? That made it a little difficult to share my muffiny goodness with coworkers and friends.. and I had to make sure to always get my silicon muffin molds back! This year, I'm hoping to bring a silicon muffin tray, along with some cute little cupcake papers. That way, I can impress the Spaniards not only with the taste of these babies, but with the presentation as well. I may even bring a pasty bag, too, for decorating. I'm committed this year!
There are also a few things that I thought I would just have to learn to live without, but I found some pretty decent substitutions. What's on that list, you ask?
1. Pumpkin. - If you know me, you may already know that I've got core-deep love for Pumpkin anything, and unfortunately, pumpkins aren't too common in Spain. Last year for Thanksgiving, I couldn't stand the thought of going without Pumpkin Pie. So I made a butternut squash pie instead. It ROCKED. Seriously. Maybe I'll even share the recipe around the holidays (I'd share it now, but I'd have to go get my notebook).
2. Sour Cream. - Sour Cream is essential for many things in my world. It took a few months to figure it out, but natural, unsweetened Greek yogurt is probably the closest substitute possible. It sounds funny, but try it. You'll see.
3. Cheddar Cheese. - I didn't actually find a substitute for cheddar cheese. Even better. I found the real thing! Even though it isn't as common in Spain, I did find some cheddar at a few stores around Toledo. Take heart, cheddar lovers -- It does exist!
As always, I feel like I'm forgetting something. What's on your list of essentials?
What else is on the list? Most of these items are food. And hygiene products. Be forewarned.
Also note: any of these items would be gladly accepted in a care package. ;)
1. Deodorant. The Europeans just don't understand the magic of my Secret Invisible Solid. The roll-on business doesn't cut it for me. So every time I take off for Spain, I make sure to pack a Costco-sized value pack of my favorite kind.
2. Chapstick. I think you can get chapstick in Spain. At least you can probably buy lip balm or lip gloss, but I'm really particular about my brand. I haven't used anything but the teal tubes of medicated Blistex in years, and there's NO WAY I'd be able to live without it. I mean really, I might be addicted.
3. Reese's Cups. There's nothing more to say. Just trust me. Take a bag of the Reese's minis. You won't regret it.
4. Kraft Mac n Cheese. To be honest, my homesickness often comes in the form of the Blue-Box-Blues. Nothing says America like a 79 cent boxed meal of pasta and cheese powder. And it always hits the spot. I didn't think to pack this one with me last year, but when my mom came to visit in February, I had her bring a few boxes for me. This year, I will come prepared!
5. Ranch & Italian dressing. Oh, Ranch. At one point in my life, I probably had as much Ranch dressing flowing through body as I had blood in my veins. I ate it on everything! I have since scaled it way back, but I still crave a salad with Ranch every now and then. It's a little difficult to import bottles of dressing, but this year, I'm planning on bringing a small jar each of Ranch and Italian seasoning. A little mixin' and fixin' in the kitchen, and I can have a Ranch or Italian side salad whenever I darn well please!
6. Baking stuff. I love to bake -- the American way; making American deserts with American measurements. Measuring cups are essential. Last year I took a dozen silicon muffin cups with me, which was good, but it limited me to 12 muffins or cupcakes. And think about it -- when's the last time you made a cupcake recipe that only made 12? That made it a little difficult to share my muffiny goodness with coworkers and friends.. and I had to make sure to always get my silicon muffin molds back! This year, I'm hoping to bring a silicon muffin tray, along with some cute little cupcake papers. That way, I can impress the Spaniards not only with the taste of these babies, but with the presentation as well. I may even bring a pasty bag, too, for decorating. I'm committed this year!
There are also a few things that I thought I would just have to learn to live without, but I found some pretty decent substitutions. What's on that list, you ask?
1. Pumpkin. - If you know me, you may already know that I've got core-deep love for Pumpkin anything, and unfortunately, pumpkins aren't too common in Spain. Last year for Thanksgiving, I couldn't stand the thought of going without Pumpkin Pie. So I made a butternut squash pie instead. It ROCKED. Seriously. Maybe I'll even share the recipe around the holidays (I'd share it now, but I'd have to go get my notebook).
2. Sour Cream. - Sour Cream is essential for many things in my world. It took a few months to figure it out, but natural, unsweetened Greek yogurt is probably the closest substitute possible. It sounds funny, but try it. You'll see.
3. Cheddar Cheese. - I didn't actually find a substitute for cheddar cheese. Even better. I found the real thing! Even though it isn't as common in Spain, I did find some cheddar at a few stores around Toledo. Take heart, cheddar lovers -- It does exist!
As always, I feel like I'm forgetting something. What's on your list of essentials?
9/06/2011
three weeks.
Only three weeks left, folks!
That's just three more weeks of face time with family and friends, of horrible, yet tasty food, unlimited texts, all-day driving, and unbelievably cold air conditioning.
There's just three more weeks until I'm going for paseos, having siestas, eating tapas, speaking espanish, and taking in the sun, warmth, and spirit of Sevilla.
In just three short weeks, I'll be feeling all of the pressures of last minute packing (and shopping), of not having my own apartment yet, of having to deal with the extranjería (or foreigner's office).
And I'm kind of excited for all of it! --minus the foreigner's office.
When I think back to how I felt at this time last year, I was WAY more anxious (understandably), somewhat more prepared (mentally, financially, legally), and a little bit less realistic.
Despite my current unpreparedness, I think that I have more realistic expectations for this year. I think I have a better idea of what to expect regarding the job and life, etc. My Spanish is way better now, too. And even though I'm not going back to Toledo, I will at least be going to a place that I know and love, where I already have some friends that I know and love. I'm excited for what the year will bring!
I am hoping that this year provides as much excitement and adventure as I found in Toledo. I am hoping to meet new and good friends, to go new and exciting places, and to keep improving my Spanish. And I'll definitely keep you all posted on the good stories and updates.
Three weeks isn't long! But until then, I'll be preparing, packing, and enjoying my time stateside!
Besos to all!
That's just three more weeks of face time with family and friends, of horrible, yet tasty food, unlimited texts, all-day driving, and unbelievably cold air conditioning.
There's just three more weeks until I'm going for paseos, having siestas, eating tapas, speaking espanish, and taking in the sun, warmth, and spirit of Sevilla.
In just three short weeks, I'll be feeling all of the pressures of last minute packing (and shopping), of not having my own apartment yet, of having to deal with the extranjería (or foreigner's office).
And I'm kind of excited for all of it! --minus the foreigner's office.
When I think back to how I felt at this time last year, I was WAY more anxious (understandably), somewhat more prepared (mentally, financially, legally), and a little bit less realistic.
Despite my current unpreparedness, I think that I have more realistic expectations for this year. I think I have a better idea of what to expect regarding the job and life, etc. My Spanish is way better now, too. And even though I'm not going back to Toledo, I will at least be going to a place that I know and love, where I already have some friends that I know and love. I'm excited for what the year will bring!
I am hoping that this year provides as much excitement and adventure as I found in Toledo. I am hoping to meet new and good friends, to go new and exciting places, and to keep improving my Spanish. And I'll definitely keep you all posted on the good stories and updates.
Three weeks isn't long! But until then, I'll be preparing, packing, and enjoying my time stateside!
Besos to all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)