6 days

I found this quote. I really think it speaks a great message.

Having a safe, comfortable place to go is
Home.
Having someone to love who loves you back is
Family. 
Having both is a 
Blessing.


Hola.


I only have 6 more days to go.  
I can barely remember what I was doing 6 days into my stay. I think I was just coming home from the beach in Cadiz. And I was getting ready for my first day of school. 
I didn't speak much.  I basically said, "Si, Si, Si..."

Now I am walking around town all alone. Taking the public transportation.  Taking buses, trains and planes by myself. Speaking to strangers.  Taking care of business.

I am excited to get home.  But I am not homesick.  I can remember the first two weeks here were hard.  I thought that I was gonna go home soon and that my stay here wasn't for real.  It really hadn't hit me yet.  It was crazy.  I think I was a few weeks into the program when it truly hit me.  I said, "I am here for some time." "I am not going home for a while."

I'm feeling kinda like that right now. I know I am going home.  But it still hasn't hit me even though I am excited to see my family and friends.

I know people that seriously do not want to go back home.  I get it.  I don't want to give up my freedom. I don't want to lose this new culture, my new language and friends. I'm going to miss the beauty of Europe.
The students here have built strong relationships with their host-families and friends.  They maybe even know their host city and country better than their own.  I know both Sevilla and Malaga like the back of my hand.
But everyone should remember that they have a home and a family right back in their country.  Someone is going to be happy that  their child, grandchild, nice, nephew, sibling or whatever has returned.

Life will be really different when I get back home to the states.  But being here has made me really appreciate  my country. And even though the USA isn't perfect and some people have some strong opinions... I am proud to be an American.
I also like this saying about life.  Because life is always changing.  Another lesson I have learned here.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
- Lao Tzu


But I have had a year full of experiences.  I am kinda sad that it's over but also glad that it happened.
Now, I am going to focus on the year ahead! I have a lot to accomplish.  Bring it on.  I am ready for anything.

-Adios