A Gnome Away From Home: June 2012

It's been FAR too long since I have blogged! I have just been so busy taking advantage of all my time left and living in the moment that I haven't been able to put my thoughts down on here in a while. Since my last post I have been to the following places in Spain: Salamanca and León, Madrid, Barcelona, a small pueblo called Potes, and the gorgeous Picos de Europa mountains. I also visited Paris, France :) How lucky am I?! I have seen and done the COOLEST things in Europe and I am so excited to look back on these memories for the rest of my life.

With that said - I am barely staying afloat in my 'glass case of emotion' (haha). I remember choking out my painful goodbyes to all of my loved ones (and balling my eyes out saying goodbye to my mom and boyfriend at the airport). I had no idea what kind of adventure laid before me or how I would cope with it. Now here I am over 2 months later, speaking Spanish, living with a wonderful, warm, amazing host mom and host sisters, and with a group of study abroad friends that have become a familial unit. It's amazing how much a person can grow in such a short span of time.

I can't wait to see all of my amazingly amazing friends and family from home (no I haven't forgotten a single one of you!!) - and bear with me for the lovey-doveyness - I am DYING to see my boyfriend, no doubt greeting him in the same fashion I left him...balling my eyes out. This time they will be happy tears :)

I am learning that I am really no good at goodbyes though, and am writing this blog with tear-filled eyes as I think of my last day of school tomorrow and the little world I will be closing forever. Goodbye to my professors, my host family, my routine, my new favorite little city, and goodbye to the fast friendships I've had the opportunity to grow a little more every day. I am lucky enough to take the friendships with me, it just won't be the same little world it once was. Today I get to be sad for my goodbyes.

Things I am thankful for:

the support of family and friends (here and back home)

the support of my boyfriend - who has beared with me and cheered me on via skype through all of this

the opportunity to come here and learn

that I chose to study abroad in Spain

my host mom who turned out to be a phenomenal person that I will keep a relationship with forever

the fact that I can function in a Spanish speaking society ~happily AND confidently :)~

that I am lucky enough to walk away from this experience a better person than I walked into it

that I will always be patient with people I encounter who are learning to speak English now (it is SO tough!)

and that I have made real, true friendships here in Santander

I have many more exciting things to look forward to this week - going to Germany! and seeing my handsome boyfriend (I know I just can't stop talking about him:)) - let alone this summer and the rest of this year. So with a heavy heart I am watching this chapter of my life turn to a new page, and I am going to embrace it with happiness and very fond memories of my time here.

What an adventure it has been :)

Voy a echar de menos mucho Santander, y gracias por los recuerdos. No quiero decir 'adios', pero como decimos...'es la vida' :)

Now for a photo montage: