From the United States

Today I began really packing for my trip. I pulled out of my rather large wardrobe everything I may want to wear while in Spain. The pile is much larger than I had anticipated, taking up over half of a double bed. Needless to say, I have a lot of downsizing to do. I know that Amelia (my sister) will be excited to have her bedroom back under her command when I go, it looks a little like a war zone in here at the moment! There are so many loose ends to tie up before leaving: medications, photocopies, bills, packing up things to be stored, etc.. The list just keeps growing!

I will be taking off in less than two weeks (11 days to be exact) and I'm already dreading the task of switching over to Spanish. I remember the first two weeks in Guatemala last summer being really draining (having to think, speak, and translate EVERYTHING to/from Spanish). I am going to try my best to find the humor in transition this time, which will hopefully make it easier. As well as dreading the whole ordeal, I'm looking forward to the day when I wake up with the confidence to hold a real, not full of awkward pauses, conversation at the breakfast table! I've heard from several sources that you eventually begin to dream in Spanish which is the sign you have reached proficiency. I'll keep you posted on whether or not this ever happens to me.

Before I get to Spain I will be spending a few days with Cormac in Lund, Sweden. I'm really excited to get to see where he is studying and having all of his adventures. In addition to seeing Cormac and getting to be on "vacation", I'll get to recover from my jet lag on a less hastened schedule.

I have emailed a hostel reservations in Madrid for when I fly to Spain. I will have to spend one night in Madrid by myself before meeting up with the other members of my group who are flying in all together. I'm a little nervous about navigating the city by myself and with my hardly street-worthy Spanish. The hostel I booked was one highly recommended in a travel book that Tommy (my brother) got me for Christmas. I have decided to cheat my first day, the hostel is well equipped with English speaking employees.

More, hopefully more exciting, blogs to come!