this time next week, i will be on a plane to chicago, which will then take me to san francisco. i realized that i haven't seen a lot of things since january: a dollar bill, a front load washing machine, a gallon of milk, a lined notebook (all they have here is grid paper). i haven't worn a pair of rainbows since december, nor have i driven a car. i haven't taken a comparative literature class, and i missed mother's day. i try to read the news on a regular basis, and i'm missing a lot in the US right now. that is by no means to say that i don't take into account what's going on around the globe; my heart goes out to the victims of the cyclone in myanmar and the earthquake in china. i just feel very disconnected from the presidential debate (which, at this time, might be a good thing), the california ruling on gay marriage (my state! MY STATE!), and the deadliest tornado season in a decade. i've missed out on a lot since i've been here, and it's a luxury in some ways, no doubt (who doesn't want to get away from it for a bit and experience something else?). but i feel like i'm ready to come back.
i feel that i've accomplished a lot of what i wanted to do when i arrived: improved my spanish (in speaking, writing, understanding), no doubt could i have put myself in situations that would have further improved it, but i'm happy with the level i've reached; i traveled so much, through spain, through rome and florence; i took copious amounts of photos; saved museum, disco, tour ticket stubs; did well in my classes; surfed a fair amount; met some amazing people not only around the world, but who will be coming back to seattle and sharing the rest of their undergrad experience with me; had honest to god paella and gazpacho; tried blood sausage and loved it; rode on the back of a moto; learned how to belly dance; shopped without (much) shame for my purchases; improved my tan; became a stronger, independent, more confident person. there are countless other things that have left an impression, but this entry would never end if i close to write them down.
i'm so happy with how my experience in cadiz turned out, i wouldn't change it for the world. i've been very blessed, and am thankful to have partook in such a program. i remember sitting there in the gateway center, going over what classes i needed to double major, fulfill the teaching school requirements, and graduate in spring 2009. i asked my advisor, "look at this. if i study abroad, i will not be able to do this. i should just stay here, complete everything i need to do, and then maybe i can travel in the in between time." and he looked at me, shook his head furiously, and said, "you are not letting this one pass you by. you can take summer courses. you can take more than 15 credits per quarter. but YOU are studying abroad. this is going to change your life. i can't tell you how many people regret doing it. you have the opportunity, take it." i wonder if he'll be there when i go back to the gateway center in the fall so i can thank him profusely. having done the program, i couldn't agree with him more.
with less than a week to go, the most i can do is explore cadiz further, study hard for my exams, leave the city, its people, and the program on good terms. when i say i'm ready to go back, i'm ready to embrace the reality that will consume me until fall 2009, at which point i'd like to return to spain to teach for a year before beginning the college of education program at uw. the past 5 months have been nothing short of wonderful, and i think i'm ready (well, i have to be, don't i? :) ) to face the next big change with as much passion as i put into being in spain for close to half a year.
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