Over a year has passed since then. Through the highs and lows and everything in between, this opportunity felt like a fantasy. And it still does.
I ran downstairs into the kitchen yesterday screaming "Mom! Mom! MOM!" and stood in front of her (along with my sister and aunt) with the biggest smile on my face. I didn't say anything, but it only took my sister about 5 seconds before she said, "OMG, you found out where you're going!" .. (The laptop that I was holding over my head gave it away)
For the next half an hour we huddled around the screen, reading the e-mail from my beautiful host sister, Gloria, and looking up pictures of Dénia.
As if it didn't feel like a fantasy enough... looking at pictures of the crystal clear waters on the beach, the architecture, the culture, and the pictures of my amazing new family all made it seem like I'm plunging my head into a story book. Unreal.
Everyone asks, "Are you excited!?" "Do you know how to speak spanish well?" "Isn't it gonna be hard to live in another country?" "Why are you doing this?"
And my answer is of course, "Yes I'm excited! No I'm not that great at speaking spanish. And yeahhh, it's gonna be really hard but completely wonderful at the same time!"
I just can't answer that last one. Why am I doing this? I don't really know.
I love Europe, I want to be fluent in spanish, and experience something totally different...
But is that all? I don't think so. I think that making a decision to live away from your family and friends and everything you've ever known is a really really big decision to make at this age. And for that reason, I think it goes beyond your interests, goals, and anything tangible. It goes beyond ourselves. That's why I can't answer this question... because it's beyond me.
Spain Called & I answered. It's as simple as that. God just has a plan too big for us to understand.
2012-2013 Outbounds!
