We made it!

Here I am in my little temporary dorm room at la Complutense wondering how I got here. Metaphysically, of course. Most of me still can't believe that I am about to have this experience, and, to be honest, I'm scared. I would go as far as to say that is normal, especially seeing we actually only have two weeks to find an apartment...I did send out two messages in response to internet housing ads, and as soon as I figure out how, I'll start making calls (which, by the way, is WAY outside of my social comfort zone).

There is no doubt that I'll be feeling better tomorrow morning. As of now, I've been awake for 26.5 hours, less maybe 1.5 hours of sleep on the plane. Needless to say, we're going tired-crazy. Anyway, our first meeting is at 5:30 so I should start going pretty soon.

Besos!

Twas the night before take-off...

Unpack, repack, unpack, repack, unpack, repack...my life currently. Some stuff will definitely have to be removed, I'm pretty certain that I have too many clothes anyway. One of my goals once I've settled in in Madrid is to befriend a fellow lefty guitar player since I have to leave mine...about to play it once more.

The next time you hear from me, I will be in Madrid! Wow. My head is spinning right now.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Not Packing

This morning while not packing, I finally remembered that I wanted to go through my music to see what songs I want to get. Mostly the ones that I think I have because I know all the words, but that's just from hearing them so much. Anyway, in the process of going through the list, I kept seeing songs that reminded me of my friends so I made this playlist:

Across The Universe
All The Above
Bad Romance
BedRock
Black Balloon
Casimir Pulaski Day
Click, Click, Click, Click
Coconut Skins
Come On Eileen
Don't Stop Believin'
Down
Elias
Fireflies
Forever
Good Girls Go Bad
Hard Sun
How Six Songs Colide
Indian Moon
Lean On Me
Life In Technicolor II
Maps
She Wolf
Thriller
Viva La Vida
1, 2, 3, 4...

Whether the story is simple or involved, each song has one. And don't worry, I was productive between then and now. I even burned myself while label ironing! Painnnn.

T-68 Hours to departure from O'Hare!

The moment you've all been waiting for!

Alright folks, here it is.The time has come for me to join the ranks of travelers before me and create a blog to keep you updated on my study abroad experience in Madrid (and wherever else I end up). I'll do my best to keep it current. It seems appropriate to get started before I actually leave to capture all the excitement. The one thing that I am not looking forward to is not being in Madison. Fortunately I was able to make the trip I needed to make before leaving. I got obscenely happy when I saw the sign for Exit 142-A 12/18 West (as usual) and that continued until I reached the campus. The residents of the Bat Cave graciously lent me their sofa for the two nights of my stay where I slept under the watchful eyes of Mr. Darcy. I went to visit Bradley, wandered State Street, walked up Bascom and on Lakeshore path, went to picnic point. made sure to go by Camp Randal, and saw some people that I am going to miss a LOT. On my way out, I got a little misty-eyed turning to go south on Park, but then I was fine...or so I thought. I was listening to 104.1 on the radio (similar to 107.7 in St. Louis) when, to my surprise, "Good Riddance (time of your life)" by Green Day came on. Then I started straight up bawling, it was terrible, especially since I was on the highway. That is such a me thing to do, feel free to laugh, I did. After that, I really was fine because I know that the people and places I love will still be there when I get back!
There is so much stuff in my room right now, I really need to start putting it in suitcases before I go nuts. Packing update to come soon.