Yeah, obviously this guy doesn't know what the hell he was talking about. I'm living in Spain for nine months- three seasons, mind you- and will be carrying 2 large suitcases weighing 44lbs each..and I'm ECSTATIC! In fact, I'm pretty happy with myself that my bags have six pounds of leeway (the max. weight is 50 lbs). I don't leave for another week, but I'm so excited I wish I could go now! Truthfully, I'll probably be uber-nervous en route to the the airport but...C'est la vie. That said, here is my top 5 list of things I'm most excited for and my top 5 list of things I'm most sad to leave behind...
Top 5 things I'm most EXCITED for...
- Travel! Obviously this one's a no-brainer. Before I graduated college I promised myself that I would backpack throughout Europe. I won't be exactly backpacking, but MAMA'S GOIN' TO EUROPE nevertheless!
- New Friends- now, this is actually super nerve-wracking and bittersweet at the moment, but I know it'll all turn out. If I make friends anywhere as great as the ones I met when I studied in Buenos Aires, everything will be great. (SHOUTOUT to Lara, Meghan, Estaci, Karen, el Nene, etc. etc.) Also, I'd like to point out a friendship that has already began thanks to good ol' Facebook, what up Freddy/Lauren Fredericks?! seriously, thank god for FB.
- Public Transportation- right now I'm confused as all get-out about the metro, buses, cercanias (maybe that's the metro?), high-speed rail, etc...but hopefully I'll figure it out quickly *fingers crossed* It'll be weird not being able to just hop in the car and go where you want to go, when you want to go..but it's all about livin' the Spanish/European lifestyle. (plus, my car still sort of smells like vom, so I'm over driving, haha)
- Improving my Spanish- Again, a no-brainer. My Spanish is definitely sub-par right now. Right when I get to Spain, I am going to enroll in an intensive Spanish review class to jump start my Espanol. If all goes according to plan, I will be living with a couple of Spanish girls, which will also be of great help!
- New Foods(?) You see, I put a question mark here, because although I love food, I can be a bit picky at times. I mean I like the basics, most seafood (even sushi), but I have issues when a.) the food still looks like it did when it was alive (i.e. octopus), b.) when it has a funky texture and c.) if it has a funky & pungent smell (goat cheese, bleh!). That said, I will usually try something before I completely rule it out! Vamos a ver...
Top 5 things I'm most SAD to leave...
- Dryers- I just love the smell of the dryer sheets and the soft feeling of stuff when it's all freshly dried. This is especially true when it's super cold out and you put on something fresh from the drier...heaven! Apparently dryers aren't very widely used in Spain though...even in Madrid. I guess I'll have to get used to the stiff semi-dry feeling again (like I did in BA)
- Tex-Mex-- ahh there's nothing like a delicious barbacoa burrito or tacos after a hard days work...or cheese dip & a margarita. Or chips and salsa. yummmm. I'm sure they have some sort of Mexican food in Madrid, but somehow I feel it just won't be the same.
- My beloved iPhone- I'll probably cry when I have to shut my phone off for good. Seriously, ever since I've gotten it it's been my sidekick. It's quite common for me to not know where the hell I'm going, but no problem! My iPhone knows where I'm going. Hmmm..feel like going to the movies you say? Well, what movies are playing? I don't know, but my iPhone knows!
- The value of the dollar- Gosh, if only there was a way to make euros, but be able to pay in dollars. That would be the life! Oh but wait, today looks promising as "The euro fell below its average of $1.4016 for the first time since July 12 (Bloomberg)...SCORE! But still not that great...
- Duh, my family & friends- Love you all...you know who you are!!!
^^ the BEST gram in the WHOLE world...seriously people.
^^ my "little" cousins <3 <3
