Last week I visited Eastern to say goodbye to all my friends and while no one actually burst into tears it was definitely emotional. I've built so many bonds with so many people that it seems slightly ludicrous to just up and move to the other side of the world for 3.5 months haha. Then again, maybe it's just time to start working on building those same bonds with a whole new set of people. My world is certainly growing larger, that's for sure. As I figured saying goodbye was pretty hard. It definitely made it real and evident to me that my time here at home is drawing to a close. Part of me really wanted to stay at Eastern, but the other part said I don't really fit in here right now because it's time to do something different for a semester; I think I'd feel a bit cooped up at school, honestly. All the same, it was really nice to visit with everyone and know that so many people are praying for me and have my back while I'm gone.
The second part of my goodbyes happened today when I visited my old high school. I got to chat with my previous Spanish teachers who offered their advice on my trip and really helped to put my mind at ease. I also saw a number of other teachers who were just thrilled to see me and hear about my plans for Spain. It made me realize how much every step of my academic career up to this point has been sort of guided. Everything about high school was just so structured and organized. I didn't realize I was in a protected cocoon until I left it.
Even though I worked really hard and did really well, part of me wishes I could go back and try to glean some of what I missed while I was there. For example, there were so many things that I wanted to try, but I was really too scared to. I wish I had known that you really only fail when you don't try and that no one is actually standing there with a score card to make sure you do everything right. People understand that you're human and that sometimes you're going to fall short, but I guess that's where mercy and compassion come in isn't it? I guess I should use that and resolve to try new things in Spain even if I don't have a clue what I'm doing because in the end people are people and I will never know what I could have done if I don't try.
Hmm, well I probably could have mentioned before that as much as this blog will be about my travels it will also be my journey of growth and change as I travel. It will probably end up being really reflective and maybe a little heady at some points haha and if that doesn't interest you then scroll down to the smiley face...but it's that's the kind of thing that gets your brain moving like it does mine, jump on in. It's going to be a great ride!
~Amanda d:p
PS- some of my future posts will probably more stream of consciousness, and while i will try and make sure i don't skip over or leave out anything important, it may happen because i think and speak a whole lot faster than i write haha. good luck!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Well hello, hello!
It is 9:18 PM and I'm hanging out with my family laughing at the idiocies of television. It strikes me that I will miss times like these when I'm in Spain haha. Especially the conversation being in English. As much as I enjoy Spanish and am looking forward to immersing myself in the culture, it just won't be the same, ya know?
My checklist has shrunken quite a bit; I have some clothing left to buy, I have to set up my Power of Attorney to leave at home, and of course the actual packing left to do, but that's about it with regards to the trip. Before I leave though, I have some research to do for insurance quotes so I can start looking into getting a car. The part of the planning that hasn't gotten considerably smaller is the number of people that I need to visit before I leave haha!
Last semester, so many of my friends were abroad (some still are) that I figured the easiest way to catch up with everyone is to wait until their semester starts again and visit everyone at once. I am really looking forward to going up to Eastern, but at the same time, I'm terrified because it means that I am really leaving (as if I can avoid leaving by avoiding visiting school haha) and it means that I'm leaving soon!
Hopefully I can update more about what my plans for my time in Spain are, but for now I'm just going to relish the (somewhat) clean air of the good ol' United States of America. Good night!
d:p
My checklist has shrunken quite a bit; I have some clothing left to buy, I have to set up my Power of Attorney to leave at home, and of course the actual packing left to do, but that's about it with regards to the trip. Before I leave though, I have some research to do for insurance quotes so I can start looking into getting a car. The part of the planning that hasn't gotten considerably smaller is the number of people that I need to visit before I leave haha!
Last semester, so many of my friends were abroad (some still are) that I figured the easiest way to catch up with everyone is to wait until their semester starts again and visit everyone at once. I am really looking forward to going up to Eastern, but at the same time, I'm terrified because it means that I am really leaving (as if I can avoid leaving by avoiding visiting school haha) and it means that I'm leaving soon!
Hopefully I can update more about what my plans for my time in Spain are, but for now I'm just going to relish the (somewhat) clean air of the good ol' United States of America. Good night!
d:p
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