Last few days in España

I can´t believe it´s been 4 months already! I am feeling every emotion anyone could possibly feel. I´m excited to go home and see everyone who´s missed me as much as I´ve missed them..first and foremost being my family of course. I don´t know what I would of done if they hadn´t been here for me. I went through some rough times in Spain....the most serious one being the food poisoning I had after coming back from Morocco. I honestly thought my insides were rotting away, graphic I know, but not something I would ever want anyone to experience. My family was also there for me when I experienced some of my highest points, realizing what I´m going to be doing when I graduate Ripon College and finally finding myself. I can honestly say Spain has changed me. It has made me see things in a different perspective. I feel like I have grown as a person as well. I am more aware of my surroundings and I appreciate life more than before. I´ve realized life is about finding peace with God and loving your life to the fullest. One of my favorite quotes, "If you love your life, you´ll live a life of love". Life is too short to try to figure everything out. Life is complicated and well not in your control, most of the time. There are some things you can have control over, hurting others for instance. Not something anyone ever wants to do but its happens to the best of us. It´s only human and it´s part of life. Some people learn best from their mistakes, me being one of them. Not something I´m proud of but definitely something that has helped me be who I am today. I couldn´t be happier with life right now. I have a very loving, supportive family who couldn´t be any more amazing than they already are. I am surrounded by wonderful friends, don´t know what I´d do without them. I live a life of love and that has made all the difference.
As for the people and the culture, it´s been an eye opener. It´s not until you leave your country and experience another that you really get a feel for what culture you´ve lived in. I can relate to the culture here in Spain simply because it´s very similar to the one in Mexico. The people here live from day to day, only worrying about what they´re doing that day. I´ve realized that life in the US is very fast pased and stressful for the most part. That´s not living. Waking up in the morning and being thankful for what you have and enjoying life to the fullest is living. Being able to sit and enjoy a full cup of tea completely without getting distracted by anything, walking to class and taking a second to read the daily newspaper that is handed to you. Getting to school and going about your day just like any other. Every day is a special day. It doesn´t matter if it´s a day you decide to stay in and study for finals or go out for tapas with some friends, take the time to breathe a little and just live for the moment. I´ve found that I´ve been able to relax...something I was unable to do 4 months ago. I usually get really sick around this time and well for me to say that I feel great right now is something I couldn´t of said back in the states, especially around finals. I have more confidence, if that´s possible, lol.. and I am less stressed because of it. I know I´ll do just fine and I know I´m capable of anything I set my mind to. I have worked extremely hard and well I just hope for the best.
As far as relationships go, I can´t stand Spanish men lol. They are ALL the same. I´m happy to say I´ve stayed single while in Spain and well wouldn´t change a thing. I´m happy for now with what I have. If I end up finding that special someone (which I know I have) then wonderful but if not...well then that´s life. The truth is...I really do miss a special someone. He knows who he is and well I really do hope this time and space between us will melt away soon. <3
Back to what I was talking about before, I´m very sad to be leaving soon. I´ve had an amazing time in Spain. I got to travel, one of my favorite things to do, and I also got to experience a new culture. I will hopefully be able to return sometime in the near future. Spain is simply beautiful! The food is amazing, could use a little more salt though, lol...but overall very healthy and very interesting. My favorite would have to be Paella, a mixture with rice, vegetables and chicken. Everyone makes it with different ingredients but I can honestly say my Señora makes the best Paella! I´m going to miss her soo much! She has been my second mother as well as my friend these past couple of months. She has giving me advice I know I´ll use for the rest of my life. I remember her telling me once, "Cheer up chicky, just think of me and smile, I´ve been through more, just remember that." The truth is...she was right about ALOT. I shouldn´t worry about things I don´t have control over. It will work itself out and well it´s in Gods hands.
I´m sorry I´ve made this an extremely long entry blog but I just have alot running through my head right now. If you actually took the time to read all of this...good for you! lol. I seem to ramble off about everything and anything sometimes...kinda my way of letting things out. So basically, I just poured my heart out.
Can´t wait to arrive at O´Hare and see the people who mean the most to me. They´ve truly been there for me all along and will be there til the end of time. As for my friends I´ve made here...I owe you the world! Thank you for helping me and being such amazing friends! Tres Tias con Tatuajes for life baby! lol.
I will be posting up a few more blogs hopefully before I leave. Hope I didn´t bore you too much. For anyone with finals these next couple of days...GOOD LUCK! See you soon!