In just a few days, I'm headed back to Seattle for two whole months of American paradise! While I'm really looking forward to being reunited with my family, friends and the comforts of home, it's also painstakingly bittersweet having to say goodbye to an epic first year in Madrid. These past 10 months have undoubtedly been the most fun of my life, and it's been really tough to see this chapter come to a close.
Of course I'm excited to spend a second year teaching English in Madrid, but it will be an entirely different experience. I've had to say some pretty hard goodbyes these past few weeks, and right now I can hardly fathom having new friends, coworkers and roommates next year. I just have to keep an open mind and accept all of the changes ahead, and recharging at home seems like the perfect way to prepare myself for that.
And of course, seeing as I haven't been home since Christmas, there are so many things that I absolutely cannot wait for! Here are just a few things that I'm looking forward to this summer:
Backyard BBQs
Pacific Northwest nature
Trees! Mountains! Water!
Brunch at Portage Bay Café
The holiest of all holy brunches.
Being a crazy cat lady again
See you soon, Kitty Purry and Chairman Meow!
Walks around Greenlake
Boating on Lake Washington
My happy place.
Doing really American things
...like going baseball games, eating Chipotle, and wearing as much red, white & blue as I want
...like going baseball games, eating Chipotle, and wearing as much red, white & blue as I want
Go Mariners!
And most importantly, being reunited with my wonderful family and friends!
(And also, Whole Foods, dryers and air conditioning.)
See you soon, AMERICA!
And most importantly, being reunited with my wonderful family and friends!
(And also, Whole Foods, dryers and air conditioning.)
See you soon, AMERICA!
This list looks fabulous! Now that the summer heat has set in, I'm feeling a bit claustrophobic in big-city Madrid. It would be nice to escape to a place with mountains and waterside views for two whole months! (Thankfully, freelance projects + travel plans make it all worthwhile this year.) As someone from a rural area, though, the city life does take its tole. No wonder so many Spaniards escape to their pueblos :s
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more gorgeous photos from your trip home!
Thanks Cassandra! I totally agree, city life is awesome but exhausting. I hope you get a chance to escape somewhere this summer, even if just for a little bit! I can't imagine trying to survive the heat here all summer long!
Delete...Funny--in my mind, there's sort of the opposite right now, because I'm so excited to be RETURNING to Spain in the fall!!...And YAY for precious kitties!!...
ReplyDeleteBy the way, are you not teaching at the same school in Madrid this upcoming year???...
Where in Spain will you be returning to? I'm definitely excited to come back, just a little bit anxious about all of the changes! But change is good, and I have to keep reminding myself of that :) I'm staying at the same school, but some of my coworkers won't be returning next year.
Delete...Well, to be more precise, I'm returning to the COUNTRY--I've been placed in Aragón (I don't know what city, yet), which is a region I've never been to before, but I studied abroad in España last year, so I know it fairly well!!...
DeleteBy the way, have you ever been to Aragón???...
How exciting! I've never been to Aragón, but I have some major ganas to visit Zaragoza. I can't wait to follow along with your adventures! Hope you get your school/city placement soon!
DeleteI'm going back to Chicago after two FULL years in Spain. Needless to say, I'm just ready for a break from Spain and the stress of moving house!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine! I don't think I could make it 2 full years... I'd be dying to get back home!
DeleteOmg is your cats name really Kitty Purry?! Adorable! Have fun back at home =)
ReplyDeleteThank you! And his real name is actually Oliver, but with that being such a generic cat name I wanted to nickname him something more creative ;)
DeleteSaying goodbye to people is seriously the hardest thing, but it somehow has a way of being ok once you get back into the groove of things. I've been in Korea for 3 years and each year I've said goodbye to a ton of people and it's super heartbreaking. Some people fall through the cracks that you thought wouldn't, but I've noticed I've really kept in touch hardcore with the ones that I always *knew* I would :) Expat life is cray and transient, but amazing, and always a new place to visit! Have fun at home! Reverse culture shock is a legit THING!
ReplyDeleteThis is just the piece of advice that I needed to hear today! Thank you :)
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