I’m 3/4 of the way done with my time here and now I’m having a hard time dealing with having to leave soon! There are definitely a lot of things I’ll miss and sooo much I feel I have to do before I have to leave. I guess my biggest lesson learned is to never rush time…because it rolls by anyway. Enjoy the moment, live in the present, take advantage of all opportunities, and don’t have any regrets

So I’m no longer saying “I wish it was May 8th” or “only _ more days left”. I’m taking it one day at a time, because I know when I’m back at Wake sitting in a 50 mins. class I’ll be daydreaming wishing I was back on the streets of Salamanca <3

On the bright side, we had an amazing little hotel!!, FREE museums/sites tours (because we’re under 26 of course!), the best pizza, croissants, and crepes everrrrr, a view of Moulin Rouge, amazing pictures, memorizing the metro line, the best deal on scarves by far, nightlife in the city , las galleries lafayette: louis vutton – chanel – versace — the original ones yesssss to sum up the trip it was AMAZING!

I’m pretty proud of Morgs and myself being able to navigate the HUGE city of Paris on our OWN! We did extremely well. We have conquered Paris and look forward to Rome now.

Things I’ve noticed about Paris: 1. the people there speak ENGLISH – don’t be afraid to ask immediately “je parlas anglais?” because they know english (hell, they know it better than I do) 2. the french are sooo laid-back and chill – I didn’t see anything obscence or crazy, just quietness…everyone is honestly really cool and they don’t stare at you like the people in spain lol 3. people in France shop as well – the galleries lafayette was PACKED 4. everything is a good 2-10 euros more in France (expect it, a can of Coke = 4 euros , 5. PARIS is huge, but their metro system is AWESOME – it will get you to where you need to be in NO time! you literally hop off the metro and you’re right there at your destination. It’s really easy to follow and understand as well. 6. sleep is NOT a given in Paris, you really don’t need it. your main focus should be seeing as much as you can while you’re there and enjoying your experience. 7. all the major monuments, eiffel tower, arc, etc, look wayyy better at night 8. i honestly didn’t see that many lovers there lol. people just seemed to be on chill mode. 9. there is a mcdonalds EVERYWHERE so have no worries 10. you will be forced to FALL IN LOVE WITH PARIS it’s beyond magicallllll

I feel as though this trip has definitely taught me a lot more about being responsible and being on time. Everything in Europe is puncutal – with that being said you need to be an hour ahead of the schedule AT ALL TIMES. There is no time for f-ing up or missing flights/trains/etc. because you WILL be left. Hey, I had to learn the hard way when I missed my train in Salamanca (sad, but true) but it’s taught me to be more aware and responsible with my time and to plan AHEAD of schedule. I’ve learned you should always be prepared and have an idea of where you’re headed and what you plan to do.

Another thing this trip made me realize is just how much I would love for my family/friends to be here to partake in this experience with me. But I realize I’m the one blessed with the opportunity to be here and I MUST take advantage of every moment. More importantly, I would have loveddd for Aaron to be here as well because that’s his city and I could SO see him there! I pray he’s afforded the opportunity to travel there, because that’s defn where he should be. Being there gave me an even greater appreciation for his love of the French culture, language, and people. I look forward to learning more about from him I wish more than anything he could have been there to partake in the trip of a lifetime with me, but I trust and believe we’ll have our day. If anything this trip has renewed within me a sense of faith, trust, and love in him! I’ll never stop believing in our love for one another! <3

Believe me we’ve had our fair share of drama within the group with personalities colliding and what not. I’ve definitely seen the leaders take an active role, take charge, lead the group, and direct them in the way that is pleasing to them. And I’ve seen the followers – following behind the leaders, not speaking out, agreeing to go along with the group. But me? I make my own path. If there’s something the group is doing that I don’t want to partake in, I go do what I want to do. More importantly I feel like I shouldn’t have to be judged for doing whatever it is that I want to do. I’m all about a person choosing to do whatever it is that makes them happy. But here I feel like if you’re not rolling with the group you’re talked about, cast out, or looked down upon.

If anything this feeling has made me want to be even more individualistic. I play my own horn and I definitely don’t need anyone to tell me what I need to do or direct me. If there’s something I want, I make it happen on my own. I never want to feel like I have to fit in or depend on other people to make things happen for me. I have no problem rolling solo or rolling duo with Morg =)

Another thing I’ve learned related to this topic is that you don’t have to make friends with anyone. Granted I enjoy meeting new people and whatnot, but I’m not here for these people and from what I’ve learned neither are these people here for me either. It’s a man eat man world out there and you’ve got to know how to survive. I’m not going to waste my time forcing friendships with people I know that it’s not going to work out. There’s no time to be phony and fake. As Morg would say if you’re not “vibing” with someone you might as well let it go. It’s not going to happen!

The last important note I’d like to mention is standing up for what you believe in. If there’s something you don’t agree with or dislike, SAY IT! Holding your tongue only makes the feeling/situation ten times worse.

I know on this trip things have been said, behind my back more than likely, and even to my face. Jealously is rampant here. I feel like I’m judged when I eat (what I eat – especially if it’s McDonalds), what I buy (whenever I go shopping it’s like World War III), and even my major (which apparently is the “easy” way out at Wake) These things among many I have allowed to upset me and anger me, but I have done something about it – I have spoken out and let people know that they can’t just say anything and think they can get away with it. These people are used to dealing with weak individuals and I’m definitely not one. And I know there are even times when I think people don’t think before they speak, but when you speak out you can then show them that they are wrong/inappropriate for saying whatever they did.

At the end of the day, I realize you only have yourself, your family, and your true friends. It’s always, of the utmost importance to “be yourself”..

I’ve definitely been feeling some kind of way about being abroad these last few weeks, especially after travelling to different places like Santander, Llanes, Bilbao, and of course, San Sebastian!!! (I love it)

Over the course of these trips I feel like I’ve definitely put myself out there to try new things I don’t normally do. I feel like in life we become so comfortable and so complacent with the way things are that when we’re finally presented with the chance to try something new or try something different we don’t take that opportunity to do so.

My greatest challenge when it comes to trying something new here has been food. I’m probably the world’s most pickiest eater. My madre in Spain always reminds me how much I detest vegetables at every meal. But I’ve learned here in Spain either you eat it, buy it, or go hungry…there’s no other options.

A lot of the foods I’ve eaten here have been really different from what I’d normally eat at home. It has made me realize just how much of a fast food junkie I really am. But I have learned to appreciate the meals my madre has cooked for me and the meals we eat here as a group.

My new challenge I need to conquer is venturing out to try new and different foods on my own. I have definitely found a safe haven in the McDonalds here. I say my reason is because it’s cheap, but really deep down on the inside my reason is because it’s a sort of comfort for me. It’s like I get a taste of home and it makes me feel good. But I’m realizing that I need to slowly branch away from these and perhaps venture into the world of “tapas” =)

So far I’ve had pretty good experiences with the new foods I’ve tried. Like I’ve discovered a soup my madre makes that I like (and I detest soup), I have a love for cabbage and squash now! and rice has become one of my favorite meals!

So with that being said…I guess my lesson is don’t be afraid to try something new. It’s easy to judge something you’ve never tried before or have no experience with but it’s true what they said, you don’t know and you won’t know until you “try something new…”

This month, I’ve come to realize, you don’t need those things to keep you entertained or to keep you happy. Material things will come and go in life…they are not permanent. But enjoying what you have and appreciating what you’re given…that’s most important. Believe me, I don’t miss anything on Facebook and it’s definitely a safety factor that I no longer text and walk at the same time (you could get swiped here in the streets of Madrid lol).

I have a newfound appreciation for walking down the street and taking in all the sights, all the views, all the people, and all that’s going on around me. I enjoy going home and sharing a conversation with my Spanish family about my day, not running to my computer to check for the latest Facebook update.

Partaking in this experience is definitely what you make. Complaining, moping, and whining definitely leads to a deadend. I refuse to spend my time here like that! I’ve learned you really can live…even without it all.

Being here has definitely been one of the hardest parts. Although we’re used to spending time apart, it’s still hard, because you eventually get to that point where you want to finally have that time you spend together always! not just for a day, a few days, or a weekend…but to be able to be together when you want to, at all/any time. I used to think that was a pain…but know I realize I’m grateful for all the time we’ve been able to spend together whether it be a few hours or a few days. Because each time is special and each time leaves me looking forward to the next time we’ll see each other.

As much as I’d love for him to be here to partake in this experience with me, I realize that we both have our own dreams we want to pursue. I see this time apart as a time for us to focus on our likes, our dreams, our goals…what it is we want out of life, things we want to accomplish. Being apart definitely allows you do that, because you really have no choice. It’s a time for self-exploration and self-discovery. And when you have someone who supports your goals and dreams and drives you to do better and be a better person even if it means sacrificing time together…that’s true love. Because true love withstands and overpowers any distance that separates two people… That’s him and that’s me.

But regardless of how much time I spend focused on me..he’s always on my mind and I’m always thinking about him. Because he is a part of my life and my future. So even when we’re physically apart, we’re emotionally and spiritually together…that’s what happens when you’re in love and when you make the decision to share your heart with someone. You surrender to the will of love and let it take it’s course…and of course, all you can do it love. trust. pray. and Believe.

Hahaha…how many times have I heard this girl say this phrase?! Now she has me saying it! lol. Having Morgan here with me has definitely been one of the BEST parts about this trip overall. When you have someone you bond with, who is on your level, who is down with you regardless…that’s a true friend. We can practically read each other’s minds haha. We laugh at literally everything…even when nothing’s funny. She makes living life and letting go fun and that’s what I need!

It’s always good to have that person who you know you can depend on, who you can count on when the going gets tough…that’s my Morg! She knows when it’s time to go home from the bars (“let’s peace out”), knows when it’s time to hit McDonalds (“let’s get our fix”) and knows when it’s time to get on the grind (“it’s time to hustle”). As she would say, we vibe. And best believe, I’m sure people think we’re crazy when we just start randomly laughing. But hey, that’s us!

Morgan has been there to remind me why being here is like the most ultimate experience ever and why I should cherish each moment here to the fullest. We both keep each other motivated and going and I believe that’s exactly what friends should do for one another – build each other up, keep each other going….even when “it’s getting serious!”

Sooo a month and a half later and I’m LOVING my time here. I remember on the plane ride here I was thinking to myself ‘what in the world have I gotten myself into?!’ Touched down in Madrid and I knew immediately I had made the right decision to come here! I must admit in the beginning I was missing home like crazy! I thought how am I going to live without my family?! my friends?! my life at Wake?! and then I had to remind myself of this “once in a life time AMAZING experience” that has I have been blessed with — to live in another country, to experience a totally different culture, to visit places I’ve always dreamed of…God is truly Awesome for blessing me with this opportunity and I plan to take FULL advantage of it all!

I have an AMAZING Spanish family, including the cutest 5-year-old boy, Alejandro, I’ve ever seen. Haha, my spanish was definitely a bit shaky at first, but I’ve learned the only way you get better is by using it…so what if you make mistakes?! Hell, that’s what I’m here for…to learn. to improve. to become better and I will! I’m making it my mission.

Another good thing about being here is all the independence and responsibilities I’ve acquired. I basically do it all on my own here (minus the meals – which are on point by the way!) There’s no one here to watch over my shoulder, telling me what to do. I have to make my own decisions (and I’ve done a pretty darn good job so far!)

Of course I MISS everyone back home. I’m not going to lie – it’s hard as hell being away from home, but honestly, everytime I step outside of my apartment, into the Spanish air (when I feel like Sanaa Lathan in “Love & Basketball – haha) I remember that I’M IN SPAIN! It’s an utterly beyond amazing feeling…and I must say “This is just the beginning…”