¡Hola a todos!
Well after a long, looooong day of travel we have finally arrived in Madrid! We got here about 10:00 this morning (4am in Michigan) after a very long and uncomfortable plane ride. Ann and I were both thrilled to get our feet back on the ground after sitting for about 10 hours. It took a while for us to navigate around the airport, especially because every student packed about nine zillion pounds of luggage. They weren't kidding when they told us to pack lightly, and I wish I would have listened. My hands have giant blisters from dragging my suitcases around the airport and to the hotel.
We are staying at a hotel in the center of Madrid. It's really nice actually and it only took us about 10 minutes to figure out how to learn the lights on! (Apparently they like to save energy so you have to plug in your room key for the lights to work.) I spent the first half hour a little upset because both my foundation and a bottle of nail polish broke in my carry-on (of all places) so I had to wash off all of my bottles of shampoo, mouthwash, and everything else I packed. And let me tell you, neither foundation nor nail polish are easy to wash off of anything!
Despite the jet-lag, we are so excited to be here and to start exploring. We're heading out for a bus tour of the city this evening and then have a meeting with our directors to find out what's in store for us this week.
Can't wait to tell you all about it!
Until next time,
Natalie
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
T-Minus 2 Weeks...
It always seems like time flies when you have a million things to do. It feels like every time I blink another day passes and I'm that much closer to leaving. Don't get me wrong, I'm getting so excited (especially that I finally get to have my bff as a roommate!) but I'm also starting to panic about leaving my family and my American life behind. Anxiety and I seem to go hand-in-hand these days.
I have had a few setbacks with my classes so far. As always, I freaked out and was worried about working everything out so I could still graduate next year as planned. Thanks to the help of a very generous professor at Grand Valley (and a bottle of wine with Ann to calm my nerves), things are all starting to come together. My professor offered to do an independent study while I'm abroad so I can get enough credits to finish school next year. She and I will be skyping and emailing all of my lectures. It will be interesting, but I am so so soooo thankful she's doing it for me. Everyone kept telling me things would work out...Guess I just have to believe that more often. So with the independent study, I'll be taking five classes this coming semester. Not sure exactly what they'll be, but mostly likely some literature, grammar, and hopefully a flamenco (Spanish dance) class. Needless to say, it'll be an interesting semester!!
So tonight I'm sitting down with a pen and several pieces of paper and beginning to make a million lists to get ready for departure. So far I've got "To-Do," "To-Buy," and "To-Pack." And of course, I've sub-categorized the "To-Pack" list into "Clothes" and "Stuff." How on earth I'm supposed to fit four months of clothes and stuff into two suitcases is beyond me. But I'm determined----But unfortunately "a bigger suitcase" is on my "To-Buy" list!
Thankfully, Ann and I have a few wonderful friends who have studied abroad and are so helpful with all of our questions. Katelyn, if you're reading this, thank you! It is such a relief to have someone who's been there and done that to answer all of our questions. Don't know what we'd do without you!
Surely the next two weeks will be filled with more lists, errands, packing, hugs, tears, and (unfortunately) farewells. Prayers to help me deal with my anxiety are greatly appreciated. I know that I am so lucky to be able to do this so I am very excited for the anxiety to pass and the excitement to begin!
T-minus 2 weeks until the adventure of a lifetime!
Until next time,
Natalie
I have had a few setbacks with my classes so far. As always, I freaked out and was worried about working everything out so I could still graduate next year as planned. Thanks to the help of a very generous professor at Grand Valley (and a bottle of wine with Ann to calm my nerves), things are all starting to come together. My professor offered to do an independent study while I'm abroad so I can get enough credits to finish school next year. She and I will be skyping and emailing all of my lectures. It will be interesting, but I am so so soooo thankful she's doing it for me. Everyone kept telling me things would work out...Guess I just have to believe that more often. So with the independent study, I'll be taking five classes this coming semester. Not sure exactly what they'll be, but mostly likely some literature, grammar, and hopefully a flamenco (Spanish dance) class. Needless to say, it'll be an interesting semester!!
So tonight I'm sitting down with a pen and several pieces of paper and beginning to make a million lists to get ready for departure. So far I've got "To-Do," "To-Buy," and "To-Pack." And of course, I've sub-categorized the "To-Pack" list into "Clothes" and "Stuff." How on earth I'm supposed to fit four months of clothes and stuff into two suitcases is beyond me. But I'm determined----But unfortunately "a bigger suitcase" is on my "To-Buy" list!
Thankfully, Ann and I have a few wonderful friends who have studied abroad and are so helpful with all of our questions. Katelyn, if you're reading this, thank you! It is such a relief to have someone who's been there and done that to answer all of our questions. Don't know what we'd do without you!
Surely the next two weeks will be filled with more lists, errands, packing, hugs, tears, and (unfortunately) farewells. Prayers to help me deal with my anxiety are greatly appreciated. I know that I am so lucky to be able to do this so I am very excited for the anxiety to pass and the excitement to begin!
T-minus 2 weeks until the adventure of a lifetime!
Until next time,
Natalie
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Countdown......
Well, it's official. I leave for Spain in just 25 days. I wish there was a Spanish equivalent for OMG. I still find it hard to believe that I'm moving to a different country. I got my housing assignment yesterday and found out that Ann and I will be living with a woman named Rebecca and her cousin (I think) Francisco. Besides the fact that they're "good with foreigners," we didn't get much more information on them. But I guess that "good with foreigners" is a good sign! I'm excited to learn a little more about them, though. Now it's time to start all the last minute stuff, some paperwork, a few to-do's, and (the part I dread the most) packing. I still have a few wrinkles to iron out with my classes abroad, but besides that, everything seems to be going smoothly. Knock on wood for me, please.
I'm starting to get a little nervous as the departure date is drawing nearer--To be honest, I'm one step below terrified. I'm still having a hard time with the fact that I won't see my family for so long. I am seriously debating packing my sweet niece in my carry-on because I'm not sure how to last so long without her. But I know that no matter how this next semester plays out, it's gonna be one crazy adventure. Can't wait to share it with all of you!
Until next time,
Natalie
I'm starting to get a little nervous as the departure date is drawing nearer--To be honest, I'm one step below terrified. I'm still having a hard time with the fact that I won't see my family for so long. I am seriously debating packing my sweet niece in my carry-on because I'm not sure how to last so long without her. But I know that no matter how this next semester plays out, it's gonna be one crazy adventure. Can't wait to share it with all of you!
Until next time,
Natalie
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