Although I have been involved in the whole Study Abroad process since about November, it has only hit me within the past week that I will be in Spain for the semester. Up until now, the main question I have been asked is "Are you excited?". My response has always been "Yeah, but it doesn't feel real yet. I'm sure I will be once I am actually doing it." With less than a week til I leave, I can tell you that I am so overwhelmingly excited and anxious that I can't fully formulate a way to express my enthusiasm. Now that pretty much everyone is consumed with their own routines either at work school, or have already left for abroad, my anticipation has grown to be almost unbearable. So, I am passing my time watching trash TV online, making sure my academic stuff is in order in the states, working a few last shifts at Gymboree, spending time with my parents and eating copious amounts of green chile.
A couple quick shoutouts to the people I have driven nuts with my phenomenal amounts of questions and advice asking about Sevilla- Ergas and Gracie, thanks so much for putting up with my unceasing questions. While I'm at it, thanks Mom and Dad for helping with all the preparations and being so supportive of everything! And to the designer of my blog and graphic artist extraordinaire: Madison Ries, thanks for your skill and help and helping me practice my Spanglish.
I have spent the summer making lists (yeah, yeah Gaby I know you are laughing) about any and everything I need to do ahead of time or gather to take with me. My lists have finally boiled down from pages long to just a few items. So, in true fashion, the rest of this post is going to consist of two lists.
What I need to do before I leave:
1. Finish packing: contrary to this post's title....I havent finished packing. Buuuuttt, I have started. However, my suitcase is currently overflowing (not kidding, it won't close).
2. Master riding a bike: (See insert)
Since I had been told that a bike is a great form of transportation in Sevilla, I decided that I should learn how to ride one. I am proud to say I can now pedal and keep the bike upright on my own...... I just can't yet control which direction it goes.
*Note: The death grip I had on the bike really made my hands hurt for the rest of the day.
3. Sleep: I am so excited that I haven't been able to sleep thru an entire night for the past three nights.
Things that will be challenging whilst abroad:
1. Giving up control: I love my freedom to do what I want and when I want and I know that while I'm in Sevilla, its going to be a go-with-the-flow kind of thing. I am also used to a lot of instant gratification in my life. While its going to be hard for me to let go of control, I think in the end, I will grow so much from not having complete say over the planning.
2. Not seeing friends and family: I am such a people person that I can already foresee that not being able to see the people I love for awhile will be difficult.
3. Texting, my caffeine drip, and driving: I know this is extremely stereotypical but I use texting and rely on it more than I realize. Thank goodness that Skype and email are still options for communication. I also have a horrible caffeine addiction that I am hoping European coffee will be able to handle. I also love driving to clear my mind and just be on my own for a bit. Perhaps walking everywhere will afford me a same sort of feeling.
All in all, I am beyond excited for these upcoming months. I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa. I am so fortunate for the experience that is coming my way. I am going to Sevilla with a plan to embrace all that is Spanish: the people, language, history, lifestyle, environment, food, art, history and so much more. I hope that this Blog functions as a way to communicate my adventures frequently and throughly. Please, please, please keep in touch and I will do my best to do the same! Oh, and I leave on Sunday! 5 days and counting.
Con mucho cariño,
Larissa
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