Mary Kate & Me: The Road We've Taken

Two years ago, Mary Kate and I used to babysit our tennis couches' grandchildren . Once a week, while surrounded by five crazy kids, her and I discussed our dreams and aspirations to be exchange students, travel the world, and do great things with our lives. But such adventures and excitement seemed so far off in the future.

In those moments, during those conversations, on those stressful nights, traveling the world was the least of our worries. We were both fifteen years old. There was homework and chores to do, kids to babysit, and sports practices to be at. Our worries and tasks weren't any different from our classmates and friends our age... But somehow, now two years later, Mary Kate and I are both clearly on different paths and focusing on different things than our classmates.

I think it all comes down to this: We were once two young girls who knew what we wanted and made it happen. Instead of thinking the world revolved around us, we saw this amazing world full of life and adventures that had the potential to mold us into better young women, and we boldly stepped out into it.

Since those babysitting days, we've both lived abroad for a year and traveled to other countries. We've acquired the basic understanding of a second language and matured beyond our years from dealing with difficult situations and learning many life lessons. We've been forced out of our comfort zones. We've done weird and crazy things. We've made friendships with people from all over the world. I could go on forever telling you all the advantages of studying abroad. But it's not all fun and games either. When Mom and Dad are no longer protecting you from all the "bad guys" and "bad things" your picture of the world is drastically changed and so are you...

Mary Kate and I are both on spring break from school right now, and she came to visit her old host family in Spain. I was away at my family's beach house over the weekend and thought that we'd miss the chance to see each other, though. Luckily, Mary Kate and her friends rented out an apartment in Benidorm for a few days and I got permission to take a train (1hr 30min) down the coast to see them one day. The whole plan was thrown together at the last minute and we ran into a few challenges, but it all worked out in the end.

So this past Tuesday, Mary Kate and I spent the afternoon together in Benidorm, Spain. Just like old times we chatted about college and our future plans for traveling- well aware that things may turn out much differently than we think. God has a mysterious way of opening doors and leading us out into uncharted waters- to new places in the world and within our own souls that we never knew existed. But not knowing it all is what it makes the journey so exciting.

The whole day felt like a complete dream. Were we really together in Spain? Just eating frozen yogurt? Just speaking in spanish like we aren't thousands of miles from home?
We each were a reminder to one another of what this all really means- where we've come from and the road we had to take to get here.

"Que fuerte!" "Que fuerte, tía!!!!!" was all we could say to express everything we were feeling, because we both know that this is just the beginning to whatever the future holds. The beginning to a whole lot more...

Two young girls from a small little town. A ton of big dreams. And the will to fight for it all. 

That's where we found each other this week... under the warmth of the spanish sun.

Time Off

I was planning on posting another blog these past few weeks but I just haven't had the time.

My sister Danica came to visit me for Las Fallas two weeks ago and then I went to London on a trip with my school for 6 days. Spring break has just begun and I'm leaving this afternoon to go to my host families' beach house where there is no wifi. So again, I won't be able to post a blog. 

Next week when we return from the beach I will be packing up to switch host families for the last time. I'm actually leaving Denia and going to live with this family in a nearby town called Gata. I'll be taking the train to and from Denia each day to get to school- so that will surely be an interesting new experience. 

With just three months left, I'm ready to soak up the spanish sun and make the most of my remaining days.

I promise to write as soon as I can, but like I said, a lot is going on right now.

As always thank you for reading and for all of the support you continue to send me from home. 

Can't wait to see you all in a few months!

Fish what?

This morning when I woke up I was not excited to go out for lunch with my host family and their friends in a nearby town called Pego. They all speak in Valenciano, a language that mixes french and spanish, and I can barely follow the conversations let alone enjoy myself for the 5-7 hours that we usually spend with them.

Just after 1o'clock we went to Pego and I immediately plopped myself down on the couch to relax as the three kids ran into another room to play and the parents sat in the kitchen to have a beer. On these days I often wish that there was someone my age or at least another person that would speak Castilian spanish with me.

An hour later we walked through town to a small restaurant where we ordered "arroz pescado". Not only do I dislike fish, but I didn't have much of an appetite either. So up until this point, my day wasn't great due to a few thing that I didn't like and my poor attitude.

At one point, as we were waiting for our food, a song came on the restaurant that caught my attention. It was a harmonica and a country man's voice. I couldn't make out the words but I had one of those moments where I mentally took a step back from everything that was going on in that moment, listened to the beauty of the music, and said to myself "Kalla, you are in Spain. SPAIN. Let that sink in right now. You are about to eat a typical spanish meal that you haven't tried yet. Do not jump to conclusions and assume that you don't like it. Instead of being frustrated with Valenciano do your best to listen and chime in on the conversation when possible. You can be content with this day, but you have to choose right now."

Needless to say, I tried every dish that they put on the table. I loved the oysters. And ate half of a tiny fried fish... I still don't understand how everyone was just eating the whole thing with bones in it- I had to stop when the spine got stuck between my teeth. hahaha
Next came the rice with artichokes, tomato, peppers, oysters, squid, octopus, calamari, fish, and other ingredients that I couldn't identify. It was the moment of truth when I took a spoonful and bit into the consistency of each piece of seafood.

It. Was. Delicious.
I ate myself full and sipped on a delicious white wine the whole time.

I was only spoken to a few times all afternoon but I focused on the positive and had a few laughs while watching an English couple on the other side of the restaurant try to order their food in spanish ;)

Brain Pour

***Before I write today's blog I just had some stuff to get off my chest***

I've been living here for two months and I still feel so distant from this family.

My little sister always looks at me like I'm strange and I don't know how to please my host mother. 

Ana always makes comments that I've either eaten a lot or eaten too little. 

She tells me I've gained weight in my hips and that my face is rounder too.

As if I can't see that stupid scale every. single. day.

I've never struggled with my image before.

But every word, every number, it hurts more and more.

The weekends are always the same.

"No, I'm staying home" I tell Ana every Friday night.

I don't have plans. I don't have friends. Would you like to tell me something new?

I'm going to stay up until 2am listening to spoke word poetry and watching Ellen Degeneres re-runs.

On Saturday & Sunday morning I sleep till noon.

We eat with family and friends for lunch on those days.

I didn't think the Valenciano would be a problem, but now it drives me crazy.

I can barely grasp spanish and now they speak Valenciano?

I wish Ana would stop staring at me expecting words to magically come out of my mouth when I can't understand a single word that is being said in these conversations.

I can't deal with the nagging feeling that I'm wasting these days here in Spain.

So I go for walks and explore random places.

My favorite days are when it rains.

No one is outside and I can think aloud. 

I like my alone time. 

It's the first time in my life that I've had a chance to be a loner.

Can people just accept me for that inside of thinking I'm a failure as an exchange student?

Emma and I have made some type of routine out of the weekdays.

Lunch. Ice cream. Green tea. Movie.

I love my Chicago girl and the time we have together.

In school I sleep.

The curriculum is so over my head that I don't even know how to try anymore.

I'm worried to death about SAT's HSPA's and applying to college this fall.

At lunch time I wonder around the patio and pretend like I have someone to stand with.

Even the people I call "friends" don't really care when I disappear.

Danica is coming to visit me in 11 days.

Last night I was thinking about how long it's been since I've hugged anyone.

Ana and Marina were cuddling on the couch and my chest went empty.

I can't wait to throw my arms around Danica's waist.

Just hold on to someone that I love and loves me in return.

It's incredible what 6 months of loneliness can do to you.

In the beginning of the year I got letters and packages almost every other week.

Thank you Julia Viola and Mom for being faithful letter writers. 

I sorta predicted that from the start.

In some situations it's better that I didn't stay in touch with people.

There were some relationships in my life that I needed to let go of.   

I'm ready to enjoy the end of this year on exchange...

Danica is coming for a week.

London with Emma for a week.

Emma's family comes to visit.

Easter break.

Change host families.

and the last two months will be hot enough for BEACH BEACH BEACH everydayyyyyyyyy! :)

Video Blogging?

I recently made a Youtube channel where I've been uploading myself video blogging also known as "vlogging". So if my Facebook and blog aren't enough to keep you in the loop, or you'd just like to join me as I go for a walk or eat ice cream (both of which I do very often) then you can check out my videos at  http://www.youtube.com/bungusloofah. Otherwise, keep checking back for my latest written blogs here! And as always, thanks for your support everyone!

Healthy Choices

Living in today's modern world, we know how many things are grabbing us at the neck and consuming our lives. For me, it's the computer. And I'm getting sick of sitting in Spain wondering why my spanish isn't improving and why I'm getting so fat. So from here on out, I'm setting a few rules for the remainder of my days on exchange. 

-Computer time < 30min

- Journal

- Go outside

- Exercise

- Practice Spanish

-drink green tea

.....eat ice cream....

Just kidding about the last one ;)

Coming Home

Today, for the first time since we've changed host families, I returned to my first house to have lunch with Javier, Cristina, Gloria, and Elena.

At 12:30 Javier and Gloria picked me up in the city and the conversation flew effortlessly on our way to the house. Not only has my spanish improved, but we also had a whole month of things to catch up on. We drove that familiar route all the way to the wooden gate that opened to welcome us home. That's exactly what it felt like- I was coming home.

I ran into the house to hug and kiss Cristina and then it was Elena's turn. Oh how I love my little spanish sister and her hugs that turn into a death squeeze! They asked about my life with my new family and I asked about their new exchange student (who was out with a friend for the day).

I took a peak in my old room, and it felt strange to see someone else's belongings in a place that once felt so "mine"...

Emma came later for lunch and it was just like good old times. Elena got hyper and wouldn't stop laughing and Javier made my favorite German salad. The food was delicious, but you should never expect anything less when Javier and Cristina are cooking! We were reconnected and there was happiness in the air- the way it should be when you're surrounded by the ones you love.

After stuffing our faces with paella it was siesta time- and Javier is still recovering from jet lag from his trip to Mexico- so we all took our spots on the couch to watch a movie and stay warm by the fire.

The day was nothing too exciting. We just had lunch and then relaxed like a normal sunday afternoon, but that's exactly what I needed. Going back to a family that I love and a routine that is so familiar was like a breath of fresh air. I could relax, put my feet up on the coffee table, and say "Welcome to my spanish home."