romantic thoughts

So it's been officially a week since I've been here! It almost feels like longer because of the crazy transition. It's amazing here and I'm so happy to be able to experience this and of course I appreciate everything and I believe everyone when they say that soon I'm gonna get so busy and not want to come home. I can see that happening just knowing who I am and I've always been very much for change. It's just different this time because I feel like I was having such a good semester that it was almost wrong to leave. Even though I know I'm supposed to be here and I almost hate myself for writing this and admitting that there are parts of me that just want to be home with my cat and my family and friends. BUT that will go away. I do love it here. I sometimes forget I'm in a big city because I'm just focusing on the little details of okay I take this metro and switch lines here or okay that guy looks sketchy I have to make sure my purse is infront of my body. But really, I can't wait to start really diving into Madrid. The museums, the architecture, the people. We've had a taste of that all but of course its so much to take in. I love the independent feeling I have of working, classes and then being able to meet my friends out for a drink but its scary that this is life now, scary in a good way. You know, I'm not on a very small campus confined by five classes, the same dorm room and plan every weekend. Not that that life wasn't amazing as well and as the PC kids go back to school this week I'm sure I'm going to be sad I'm missing that as well. But it is just so amazing that I'm here and I keep wondering how lucky I got. I feel like there's so much good in my life right now that I'm afraid to move an inch for it all to come crumbling, which is an awful way to think haha. So I am setting my mind to how I have thought about this time in my life since I was a little kid. I am on an adventure and will embrace every scary, life-altering and fantastically different moment with all of my being. Then when I look back in ten years of my time here I will remember it well and with ease because it will have changed me inside and out and I can feel it in every part of myself. But I think I'm getting a little romantic right now haha. There are struggles here but it's all part of the journey. It's in the grind that you learn who you are. I think I'm learning more of the language every day and they mean it when they say "full immersion". I have three outlets of language in my face every day: classes, home and my internship. And then there's you know the whole, I-live-in-the-middle-of-the-city thing too which is great. My internship is going to be really great too I think. My boss is already happy with my work of translating and helping write professional letters in English. It's simple and often tedious work but really its an excellent way to learn. The people are great but most of all my boss and I share the same philosophy on saving the world. I thought the idea of peace and cooperation was a bit idealist and vague but in reality, my boss is working towards the bottom up approach of starting in schools to pull together people and expose them to the realities of the world. Creating awareness but also educating people gives them options to who they want to be, and if they know the harsh truths of the world and feel the sting of some cruel realities hopefully they can follow their own path and be happy. I believe in people. But informed people. Education - and I don't just me standardized in a classroom - gives people the tools for their independence. That way no one is wondering on a path chosen for them and they are happy because they are responsible for themselves and can then choose to help others. This is really general and idealistic but there are some solid truths in that haha. And I'll work on it on my time here. Anyways! I shall write soon again!

My head hurts.

Ah where to begin. We flew in Thursday morning and because of the time difference we were off about 6 hours and no sleep. But after orientation in our hotel in Puerta del Sol. We moved in with our homestays Saturday.
Puerta del Sol is really great center. Right in the middle of the city there's good shopping, bars and discotecas. Friday we explored chueca which we learned was the gay district of Madrid and even though us girls insisted that we stay and finally find our gay soulmate a, thy directed us to tribunal. Now it was almost 3 am at this point so most of the bars were closing but luckily we have Chinese men on the streets to sell us beer from their backpacks to keep us warm on our walks. They go out here at about 1-2 am and stay out til 5:30 or late enough for the metro to start up again. A bit different from PC I'd say. We enjoyed tapas and cheap wine (because it's all local - win!) and made some good friends so far.

My house señora is very nice. She seems the type to be warm but also isn't too in your face or always spending time with us. The food is delicious although I don't understand why she takes about half the portion that she gives us haha. I live with another student from BU who is very nice and easy to get along with. We have soup with everything. And then we've had paella, pizza, pasta, chicken and idk tonight. They eat a like 8 or 9 at night so that's new too.

Language and internship to come in he next post!

One week before I leave

So last night I had a bit of a panic attack...I started freaking about the fact that one week from last night I would be in the air. I am normally a very rational person considering my age and gender haha. As I hyperventilating about the language barrier, the new people, places, new family and classes I knew I would be okay deep down but it didn't matter how much I knew that. I needed a moment to freak out. Yes I leave in a week. I have the logistics in order and I am on my way to packing so I know I will get everything done. I have studied the language for almost seven years so I won't be completely useless and I'm a friendly person going over there with two best friends so I will not be alone. Tons of people my age and with less access to communication and preparation have done this. I think I just needed a moment of freak out. So now that that's out of the way...onward!