Thank You For Being A Friend

    The Golden Girls theme song is the song of my day. I have it on repeat as I write this. It's only 43 seconds long, so you would think it would get a little monotonous, but when I hear those first four chords play, I just smile. Today I dedicate my blog to all of my friends. I have to thank all the people that I have met in my life who inspired me, or told me to follow my dreams, or made me laugh. Last night I talked to Korey and Steven on Skype and today it was my Mom, Dad, Brandi, and Joey. I enjoy every minute of this. They all make me laugh from my heart. It takes good friends and family for this to happen, I think. It's something that I miss but know I will find here. I just feel lucky to already have so many great friends in my life who are happy for me and tell me that I can do this.
    I realized today that homesickness doesn't just disappear. It can go away for a good amount of time but it can jump back in at any moment, too. Today I went to church with Merche and then to a BBQ to meet Merche and Maite's family. Here I was in a room full of great people who were so happy, so full of life, so excited to meet me and to just be with each other, yet I felt so alone. Today being Sunday, my mind drifted to Sunday mornings at Grandma's with her, Brandi, Mom, Aunt Barb, Abbie, Aunt Bev, Taylor, and Morgan. I can't help these thoughts from consuming my mind sometimes. It's just crazy how I can be in a room filled with happy people and still feel this way. A good part of it has to do with the language barrier, but still. I want you all to know at home that I won't stop missing you. Even though I'm having the time of my life, I will never forget anyone who made me laugh from my heart, or gave me an extra long hug, or made fun of me because I sing too much or because I'm clumsy.
     I just owe this year to all of you at home who told me I could do this. Who supported me through everything, I can't thank you enough.
     On a lighter note, I met a women in church this morning that made my day. She's probably around 60 years young with white hair. Throughout her white wispy hair is streaks of bright purple and hot pink. She wore a bright skirt, a bright top, and a printed scarf. This lady rocks, okay? I wanted to break out into "La Vie Boheme" right then and there. She is the definition of bohemia. Now, on a chewier note, I was given a salad today at the BBQ. In Spain, salads are not what you would consider a typical salad. There are many mysterious things in said salad. So today, my salad is pink. Hmm, I thought, I wonder what I just took a bite of. So, me being my curious self, asked Maite what was in this salad. "Oh. Hmm. How do you say...Oh, octopus." Me: (on the outside) The "oh" with head nod. Me: (on the inside) GAG. I just ate a tentacle. So I told Maite I didn't really like the salad much and she took it away before the others could see. I love her.
      To make up for the octopus salad, I had some American chocolate chip cookies for dessert tonight. I know they are American because the Statue of Liberty was on the container's wrapper. :) I'm proud to be an American because of our cookies alone! That's a joke. But while being here I learn to appreciate Spain's culture and become proud of my own. I feel honored to say that "this" is the way we do "this" in America. I honestly really enjoy it and become more proud to call myself an American each day. I love being "The American Girl."
       I want all of you at home to know that I love you and I'm thinking about you every night while I blog or fall asleep. "Thank you for being a friend. Traveled down the road and back again. You heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant. And if you threw a party, invited everyone you knew. You would see the biggest gift would be from me, and the card attached would say, Thank You For Being A Friend."
      I start school tomorrow morning so I need to get my sleep! Buenas noches, mis amigos.