I do have to say, though, that I am thrilled to get home and see my family. I mean it's been 9 months now and so many things have happened--my sister graduated from college, got her first full-time job as a flight-attendant (her dream job), my brother graduated from boot camp, then graduated from the NAVY Dive School, AND got engaged to his wonderful girlfriend. Also, one of my best friends had his first son, Carter, who I can't wait to finally meet. I can't wait to just be able to call my sister on the phone and chat about nonsense, finally hug my mom, and play tennis with my dad. I cannot WAIT to drink sweet tea. Lots of things happen in a year and you don't really realize it until you are out of the loop a little.
However, on the flip side, how do I explain to the three little girls who I've spent this year adoring that I'll never be back for the length of time I was this year--or that the United States is actually not the next town over. Children don't really have a concept of time or distance and Agueda thinks we need a plane to get to Padron--a town 20 minutes away in car. The hardest conversation was when she asked me where I will be spending my next birthday--I had to tell her that I will be in the United States--and she was so upset because she wanted to get me a present. Now I can tell I am getting more emotional with them, and constantly wanting to hug them or kiss them because I know I am leaving soon and soon I won't be able to do that anymore--but they don't realize that so they are always like 'Sarah! I'm playing! Stop!' :) Cuties.
The one comfort I have is that I know I have developed a wonderful relationship with the whole family, including my fantastic host parents, and I know I will be able to maintain a relationship with them for years to come--and for that I am so unbelievably thankful.
Other info about the going on's in Spain these past few weeks
Julio's sister got married!! I was lucky enough to go to this very small, family only wedding to witness a lovely couple get married. Agueda, Valentina, and Celsa were the little flower girls and they looked so beautiful.
I went to Ireland for the Comenius Project. We spent a night in Dublin, then went off to the north west side of Ireland in Letterkenny. We toured a very small rural school that had only 15 children in the whole thing!! I loved learning about the Irish school system and the speaker that spoke was so inspiring! I still can't believe I represent Spain in these little trips across Europe--amazing. Then we went surfing!! Definitely not the warmest of waters... lol I wore a ski-coat and surfed in the same day! However, I represented my brother well when I was the only person who stood up and caught a wave :) The next day we went to a spectacular castle in the middle of...nowhere. It was breathtaking. A castle surrounded by a lake and beautiful mountains--all by it's lonesome. Overall, Ireland was fantastic!! And if you go to Ireland--definitely order a steak. It's the best steak you'll ever eat.
Unfortunately, I have been having some coughing issues again and since I had pneumonia twice in 7 months last year, I went to the doctor right away! The first time I went to the doctor in October, my host family came with me as a translator--this time I was solo. Sorta like taking training wheels off for the first time :) My spanish is not great but the fact I can at least talk symptoms to a doctor and understand his instructions shows the improvement :) Turns out I do not have pneumonia again, but I have to use an inhaler till I get back to the US due to a moderate to severe allergy to house dust. Not exactly sure how to avoid house dust for the rest of my life but I'll figure something out!
