What I Learned in Spain

I have wanted to do this for a while, but I kept forgetting.  So here we go:

Disclaimer: These are things I personally learned.  I’m not saying that you should use these too, because everyone is different and need to handle situations differently.  But I hope I inspire just one person with this. 

Things I learned in Spain:

• Don't be embarrassed or upset when you have an anxiety attack.  You just have to take deep breaths and remind yourself you can get through this.  And let others know what is going on; they'll be understanding and supportive.

• It's okay to make mistakes; in fact, it's important to.  You won't learn or grow if you don't.

• Don't be afraid to be a leader.  It can be scary, but you never how much you can learn if you take that risk.

• Don't overthink things.  If you think you can do something, 99.9% of the time you can.  Don't sit there and wonder what could go wrong.  If something does go wrong, you learn from it and move on.

• When you are in a foreign country, it's better to attempt and slaughter the language than not say anything at all.  The locals seem to appreciative your efforts.

• Know your limits:  physically, mentally, and emotionally.  It's good to push yourself, but not to the point where you fall apart.  Don't be ashamed, just know that you are unable to do things that others can, and it's okay. 

• You don't have to be loved and/or accepted by everyone.  Instead of seeking out approval and acceptance, just be you and the rest will follow.  If someone doesn't approve of you, that's their problem, not yours.  And it's okay.

• Don't regret anything.  Maybe things didn't go the way you wanted it to, but as long as you learn something from it, then there's no reason to regret.  If you didn't learn anything, maybe you missed something.  Or maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

• Enjoy each moment while you are in, not worrying about the future or fretting about the past.  All that matters is the here and now.

• Airplanes aren't going to kill you ;)

• Subways and people on the subway won't kill you ;)

• Believe in yourself.  You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Bye Spain!

Today is a little bit heartbreaking for me.  I have to say goodbye to this wonderful place and head back home.  While I miss my family, I had such a great time despite a few bumps...in fact, the bumps actually helped me grow and learn.  I wasn't feeling good on the plane, so even though I wanted to sleep I couldn't much, I was so achy and I felt cramped.  Instead, I wrote in my journal and reflected back on my experience.

I'm ready to experience life and take more risks and learn more!  I feel inspired to do more and do to better in school.  I am ready to take on any challenge that life brings me and I'm ready to face the world head on!

I loved Spain and would do it again in a heartbeat.  It was much more than a class, much more than a tourist trip, and much more than a vacation.  It was a life changer, and I know that I learned so much more about life and myself.  I am ready world, bring it on!

Rain, Swimming, Sick again, Salt Water, Last Day

Today was the last day.  Some people left already but I was able to stay one more day, which relieved me because I still haven't been in the ocean yet, and I had been wanting to so badly since we got here.  I am getting a sinus infection...ugh...

So this morning I got ready, and looked outside...and it was cloudy.  I was so bummed.  Then it stated to rain and...then I was really bummed.  However, after I rested some, it stopped and Angie, Tasha and I went swimming.  It was a little scary and I did get pulled under once, and I swallowed some water...yuck.  It was still wonderful and I would love to do it again.

I was really tired so I took a nap and then a shower.  We then went shopping and I just tried and absorbed everything I could in order to remember everything I could and keep this feeling as long as I could.  I am so inspired and so in love with Spain, and it's heartbreaking to say goodbye, but I will come back someday.

Jellyfish

I didn't get to go into the ocean today because the tide last night brought in tons and tons of jellyfish.  I did visit the beach quite a bit today though, just sitting and watching the waves go in and out.  Every time I went, I didn't want to leave, but I knew I could come back.  And I did, again and again and again.  This is making it so hard to leave but I can't look away from the ocean for a minute, because it's just there and so beautiful.  I was excited to see the sea (lol) for the first time, but I didn't realize I'd have such a connection with it until now.  I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to experience this, and it's here now and I don't want to leave.

Today we did some shopping and just relaxed, which was super nice because I feel like I'm coming down with a sinus infection.  Such a pain but if it's going to happen, the tail end is the best time...though the plane ride is going to suck.

Rock of Gibraltar, Monkeys, First Glimpse of the Ocean

Today we visited Gibraltar which is part of the UK.  It was kind of fun to cross the border into a different country, but what really struck me was while were heading to Gibraltar in the van, Dr. Corser pointed out the Mediterrian Sea to me.  I have wanted to visit the ocean for years, but the opportunity never arrived.  I don't know why, but as soon as he pointed that out, everything hit me at once.  I'm in Spain, I'm this close to the sea, and I'm actually looking right at it!  I took a deep breath and could smell the salty water, and I was so excited.  More about that later :)

In Gibraltar, our tour guide was very knowledgable and I regret not taking notes about everything he talked about, because I already forgot most of everything he said.  He did mention that there was a place where they filmed a car chase scene in Indiana Jones.  Geeking out again :)

We went to a castle (where I realized that I was okay with heights now), saw an old prison behind it, learned a little bit about Gibraltar and the people, and saw monkeys.  Aww the monkeys were so cute and very approachable, but I was slightly nervous because they can become aggressive.

After Gibraltar, we went to Almuñécar.  I told Dr. Corser earlier that I had never been to the ocean, so he encouraged me to go put my feet in it.  Something about the cold water on my feet, the waves crashing in my ears, and the salt in the air just made me feel so good and so happy.  I could spend a week here but we only have 2 more days.  That's okay, I'll make the most of it.  This is the perfect way to end this amazing trip.  

Aesthetics, Real Alcázar de Sevilla, Plaza de España, Rowing, Flamenco Dancers

I finally got to go to MY church today :)  It was actually kind of fun and interesting.  We met missionaries who were American, and one of the members came up to us and started talking to us.  She's a senior this year and she wants to go to school in America for film making.

It was awesome to feel that amazing feeling even though I'm in a different country and don't understand the language hardly at all.  The church is true no matter where I go, and it was an awesome reminder.

Later we went to a palace called Real Alcázar.  It was so beautiful and I could feel there were many many stories within those walls.  The details in every little part outside and inside of the building were so beautiful and intricate.   When we went into the garden, one of the professors mentioned that he felt that this garden made the botanical garden look tiny, and I agreed.  It was so beautiful, peaceful, and big.  I felt that I could just take a book out there and sit under a tree for hours, or just lay on the grass and take a nap.

After that, we broke off into groups and some of us went to Plaza España.  I geeked out a bit because that is where a scene from Star Wars was filmed.  I also got to try and row a boat, and it's a lot harder than it seems!  After we explored, our group was hungry so we stopped and got dinner.  A little confrontation because they brought out an extra dish that we didn't order and they wanted us to pay for it.  Luckily it was resolved.

Then we went to watch the flamenco dancers.  I had never been to a show like this, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  At first I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but as the show progressed I started seeing the beauty in the singing and dancing.  I couldn't understand any of it, but I loved the guitar music, and I could tell that the dancers and singers were very passionate about sharing their stories.  It's one of those things that I probably wouldn't have done if I had been on my own, but I'm really glad I went.

Sevilla

I was feeling much better today.  Still slightly nauseated but tolerable.  We arrived in Seville today, and it's a smaller town.  I felt Madrid and Barcelona were too busy for me, I'm a small town girl and I love the little cities.  Today was a resting day so after lunch, Krissy (one of my roommates) needed to find a laundromat.  I was wanting to go somewhere because I had felt stuck inside for most of the evening last night, so I went with her.  I pulled it up on Google Maps and it was pretty easy to find, not very far away from our hotel.  It made me realize that if I don't overthink it, I have more self confidence than I realize.  We just went for it and yeah I made a few mistakes and Krissy helped me correct them, but we didn't get lost, and I felt really good about my part.  While we were looking I wasn't unsure about anything, I just went for it.  It made me realize that I need to start doing that more in my life.  I've grown so much on this trip, and I'm sad to be leaving next week soon but I know that all the skills I've learned here I will be able to use in my life back home.