Well, this is my first blog about my journey to Spain. I decided to start this blog before I leave for Spain so I could write about how I am feeling as well to keep my family and friends informed about my preparations for my journey. I have always loved reading other people’s blogs about their travels around the world and their daily life. I hope that I will use this blog not just to keep people updated about what I am doing in Spain, but I also hope to inspire people and I hope to grow from my writings. I know that I am not the best writer especially compared to the wonderfully written blogs that I have read; thus, I am not going to worry to much about grammer, etc.
I have almost two months before I leave for Spain!!! I am so excited. About three years ago I visited my friend Chaska in Madrid, who at the time was working and living there. After visiting Spain the first time I was hooked. Since my first high school Spanish class I have wanted to go to Spain because my teacher always talked about her time studying abroad in Spain. I know she would be so proud that I am on my way to studying abroad. Over the past three years I have talked to Chaska a lot about traveling and she inspired me to follow my dreams of traveling all over the world. I figure studying and living in Madrid for nine months is a great start to traveling the world.
There is so much I am excited for and so much that I am nervous about; however, anytime I start to worry I remind myself what an adventure it is going to be. I currently understand and read Spanish better than I can speak it; thus, I am a little nervous about my Spanish. I know no matter how much I prepare I will be challenged and I will only get better at speaking Spanish. I hope to come back from Spain fluent and I want to be able to have a complete conversation with my grandparents in Spanish. I know whether I come back fluent or not my grandparents will be proud of me. This trip is going to change my life, I can feel it. Everytime I think about the future I get very joyful and excited. Yes, I am afraid, but that will not stop me from following my dreams. My mom is a little worried about me traveling by myself in Europe, but I can’t let my fears or her fears stop me. I know I will meet people travel with and if not I have plently of people to visit. I welcome the challenges ahead. I know that I am going to grow and become even more independent than I already am and I know that my relationship with God is going to grow so much. There will be times I miss my family, friends and of course my father (I am sure you will be reading about this someday), but my faith in God sustains me as well as encouragement from the people I love.
I have almost everything ready for my visa and once I get that I will be one step closer to leaving! This week I have a meeting for my study abroad program so I am super excited because I will be meeting the students who will be joining me for the first three months in Spain. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
*By the way the picture on my header is of Madrid at nighttime
