The Beginning of the End..

Been spending the past few days hanging out with the girls and trying not to think about having to say goodbye to everyone. We've really been enjoying ourselves though- nights out, dinners, brunches, and we've also been spending a lot of time at the pool- really the only way to enjoy the heat in Madrid. Plus being students we get a discount, so it's a great way to save money!


Other than that I haven't been doing a whole lot. I finished up with school last Friday, which was awesome, so I've mostly just been bumming around, waiting to hear back on my grades. Kate left yesterday for 12 days in Italy, so I've had the room to myself. It's weird though, and kind of lonely. My other roommates are so in and out because of their work, so it's just been me here, really. Not that I'm complaining- but it's still weird. I'm so looking forward to next year though, since Kate and I both go to Purdue. It will be awesome having someone around who went through the same program as me, who I can talk to if ever I feel nostalgic- I really couldn't have made it through without her.

I guess overall I'm feeling very conflicted about leaving. I sent my mom an email attempting to explain all of this:

"Spain was so challenging and frustrating..but it's weird to think that I am leaving it- and all of my friends. I've adjusted so much to the schedule, the layout, the people, the language...and at the same time I feel like I am still lost sometimes and haven't learned a thing. And it's weird because I have no idea when I'll be back- in Spain, and in Europe. But I am also so ready to come home and be back in familiar territory, with the people who know me the best, and try
to assume a life of normalcy again. I feel like I am going back to the real world after living in a dream land for 5 and a half months and I am not quit sure how I feel about it.

But I do want you to know that I have loved it here- the good, the bad, and the really bad- it was all such an experience and one that I believe has changed me for the better. I have been spending a lot of time with the girls and trying to get out as much as possible in Madrid. I'm really looking forward to London, and to see Whitney- I think it will be a nice
transition into hearing English all the time, and it will be so nice to see a familiar face from home."

So I guess that about sums it all up. I'm leaving for London on Thursday and I can't wait to see Whitney! After that it's really adios, and I'll be heading home for good. When I get back I'll update my photo site, and update my blog with stuff from London. Looking forward to seeing everyone at home!

Less than 20 days left? Woah baby!

Hard to believe that my time here is seriously winding down, and this will be even more official after this Friday when I take my last exam. Having school completely done will be so great, because then I can completely relax and do nothing- which I plan on fully doing.

My other finals were all last Monday and Tuesday, and I think they went fairly well. The class that I learned the most from (and the one that I'm really glad to be done with) was my Latin American History class. It was extremely interesting, but as a Psych major I don't really have the history background that I needed for the class material. My Prado art class was pretty cool, but it got fairly redundant considering the art was all from the Barroque period, and pretty much looked the same. I definitely recommend the Prado museum though, and especially all of the works by Goya, my favorite painter that we studied. My spanish film class was self explanatory and not too challenging, and the movies were all pretty good- if you haven't seen "Volver" yet it is a must!

For my complutense classes, my Greek Mythology final was on Tuesday and it was an oral exam with our professor, which I was very nervous for. In our classes there is very little student participation, so we don't get to practice a lot of our spanish. Speaking with him was intimidating, but I knew the material and was prepared, which is all that matters! He said I did very well and he was happy to have the Americans in his class. My final on Friday is for my Grammar/Syntax class and I am a little nervous for it- I'm basically just hoping to pass this class and be done with it, so hopefully that will work out.

We had our final group dinner which was really fun- it's so funny to think back to the first dinner we had, our first week here. Everyone was so nervous and shy- and so lost! I felt like I was so overwhelmed and not going to do well in my new environment. Crazy how six months later, we're sitting at dinner laughing, visiting with all our friends, etc. I feel very comfortable here, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve.Today we went to a pool near our piso and layed out all day- it was a beautiful day and I got some great color- which is awesome because come on! I AM in Spain! If I came home pale, people would be disappointed, haha. It was fun though to people watch- saw way too many old men in speedos and young girls sunbathing topless than I had planned, but such is Europe.

Going to London VERY soon to see Whitney which I can't wait for!!! It will be the perfect end to my time abroad.

Mmkay all for now! Congrats to my little brother Joey for graduating high school! Welcome to the "We Survived New Trier Club!" Love you!