I can't believe that I actually was there for an entire 4 1/2 months. I've been working in Moorhead for the last month already, and it almost seems like a dream to have been in Spain... I have the memories and souvenirs and correspond with Peñi and some of my friends from there, so I can't deny that I was there, but it's so hard to believe. I remember planning and thinking about it for so long, and now it's in the past. Some things changed at home while I was gone- one of my friends got engaged, I missed out on fads like Peace Tea, missed another flood in Moorhead, but most things seemed completely familiar when I got back. I was a little intimidated of driving when I got back, but it felt like I had just driven the day before when I did it for the first time. Being in Brainerd and in Moorhead for the first time was bizarre but kind of wonderful... I remember driving down Broadway in Fargo for the first time and just being completely happy! It sounds kind of weird, but it felt so good to be in the area again. Most people just want to get out...
Finals went really well. I ended up doing really well with my final grades, which made me happy and made me feel like I got out of my classes what I was hoping for. After finals, I traveled with my boyfriend around Spain and then went to Belgium for a wedding- it was amazing, and I had a lot of fun. And I brought back a BUNCH of chocolate! The journey home went well, with no problems.
Overall, I'm really glad I went to Spain, and don't regret going at all. I learned so much from it, and met so many amazing people and saw so many amazing places. I learned about myself too, how I work, that I can establish myself in a place completely unknown to me and be overall content there, can learn another language and successfully make friends... I'll miss the food and the people, but I'm glad to be back in the United States. I like how the United States works, and am happy not to live in a socialist country... I'm happy to be back with family and friends, and in a place where I know how to take care of myself and know how things work. I don't think I would go abroad for an entire semester again, but would LOVE to visit, and definitely plan on doing so, soon.
Thanks to all of you who have been keeping up with my blog, and I'm sorry for how late this update got. It meant a lot though to hear back from you, and to know that you were keeping up with me during my semester abroad. I hope you enjoyed reading, and that I gave you at least a small glimpse into what my life was like in Spain!
As for now, I'll be working in the Concordia math department and at Sarello's for the rest of the summer... and now on to the next chapter of my life!
Sos del Rey Católico
Goodbye dinner with the Alcaraz family
Inside the cathedral of Antwerp
At the wedding reception
