So Stoked for the Coming Weeks/ Tu solo vive un vez.
Picture is from the Sagrada Familia ( by Gaudi Arcitecture in Barcelona, Spain) All of his designs are based on nature. For example, when you look up at the ceiling, it looks like trees. 
I am so excited for London, Granada, Amsterdam, and Morocco. I can’t believe that the next month will probably be the best of my life starting with this weekend. I am so grateful to have such an amazing spanish family as well as the MOST INCREDIBLE MOM, DAD, and Brothers back home as well. I talked to my mom on the phone today and she was so inspiring. She is going back to school to get her masters, opening up a preschool, and always wanting to go to festivals, new dances, concerts, etc. She is such an openminded person who really enjoys life to the fullest. She hasn’t given up. Today I woke up late cause my bed here is just so damn comfy, it’s like ashley’s soft blankets. Class was great, I love learning about different cultures way of doing things, like tapas, store hours, eating times etc. I am finally getting used to Spanish comida and their eating schedules. But then I have to leave in a month and a half:( I took a long nap after I got home from school. I’ve been listening to NPR, Economist, and Spanish lessons on my ipod which I want to continue doing. I feel like I’m my best self here because I am out of my comfort zone a little and have such a thirsti for life. I exercise 1-2 times a day, listen to the news, learn a new language, eat great food, have a great family, and am traveling all over europe (and once to Africa to camp through the Sahara desert). I don’t think life could get any better at this point. The best part too is that I am alone a lot , which I like. I get to choose when I spend time with people but I find that I am usually most productive (and happy) when I get to choose where my time goes. I went to Body Combat (love the rush from exercising) and then had some amazing dinner with my spanish family of pollo, eggs and tomato salsa, and bread. SO BOMB, i’m really enjoying the food maria carmen makes. I also found a little white seal toy on the ground when I was running to the gym and brought it home for Luna. It’s her HIJO as Maria Carmen put it. After I went to meet evan, alex, isla, and christine, and her bf, at this bar called Juleo near Plaza de Torres. It was really chill, lots of paintings of couples dancing and kissing on the walls. her boyfriend that if I want to see animals like apes (who you can feed) and cool big birds, I should go to Bolivia & Peru. Alex helped me with the Indefintite Tense and we watched South Park about how hate crimes laws sometimes reinforce that one race or group is different then the other and that any crime against someone or a group is a hate crime. I need to remember to Check out that Snow Globe Festival for new years. I’m glad I talked to my mom, she is so amazing and I hope I can pursuade Zach to take advantage of life. It is so short not to be trying to learn all the time.
ILove my spanish classes because they are with students all over the world. I love learning about different cultures. When I talked with my dad on the phone today we talked about how the world is so different and you can always change your setting. You don’t have to stay where you are. Everyone in my classes realized this and sought to go somewhere new, break out of their comfort zone, and we get to learn about different ways to live from one another. :) and how we are different and the same.
Last night, I went with Dustin to the Tasca el Coscorron , http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricardodaforce/5772751125/
An amazing bar with authentic mojioits, spanish music, and post cards from all over the world. The best part is that you can write your name on the walls: I wrote you only live once in spanish.
What I’ve learned this past few days is that you should pursue your patients but be patient with the results. Also, that walking slow and not being in a rush is usually better for your temperment. I love how chill Spanish people and culture is. I love watching people sit outside and drink and eat coffeee and tapas and beers with their friends all day.
I’ve been listening to some bomb music lately, probably contributing to my good mood!
I met a really cool girl in my Intercambio yesterday as well! From elche, who dreams of being an astronomist! :)
Hasta Luego!
Zoe
