That's all, folks!

So, here is the end. I can't quite wrap my head around the fact that I'm leaving Spain tonight, and that these 4 months have already passed by so quickly! I was worried that my last few days here would be tainted by the fact that everyone has been studying for exams, it has been miserably cold, and constantly icy-raining. In fact, I had to put on a pair of wet jeans this morning because ALL of my pants (and socks and shoes and coats, for that matter) are soaked through. Not one of the best feelings in the world. BUT luckily it cleared up yesterday afternoon and has been beautiful, if still FREEZING, and everyone has decided not to care about school anymore. I've always been on the apathy track, just waiting for everyone else to catch on. No matter how ready I may be now, looking back on my time here I have no trouble remembering that there was a time when I wasn't quite ready to rush back to America, no matter how full of wonderful friends and family, fireplaces, cars I can drive, and BBQ it may be.

I have learned so many things this semester, and I think I will continue to learn as I look back on my experiences. As a little reflection on my semester, here is a brief summary on my feelings on leaving Spain...
-I will miss Muesli Crujientes con Fresas y Almedrados. Even better than Special K with Red Berries. Not even kidding.
-I am going to miss schwarma and gelato. A lot. However, my dad has informed me that there's a schwarma restaurant on 20th St. so I will be hitting that up promptly upon my return.
-I will miss traveling, and especially the price of traveling. Ryan and I have become quite close over these last few months. However, I would be glad to never again here the techno music they play throughout the flight. The same song. The entire time.
-I will miss plazas and fountains on every block, and beautiful little streets, and living life in the street. However, my immune system and I will not miss walking through minefields of animal excriment to reach these beautiful locations.
-I am definitely not going to miss Spanish street culture (i.e. people are mean.) If I stare you down on the street, run you over without apologizing, don't say hello when I pass you on the street, or respond to everything you say with "claro", the quasi-equivelant of "duh.", please forgive me. I will try to rid myself of those parts of Spanish culture as quickly as possible.
-I will miss hearing at least 4 different languages every day, and meeting the people that go along with them.
-I will miss always being uncomfortable and being pushed into new experiences and new relationships. But heck, enough is enough. I'm ready to be in the places I know with the people I love!!!

I am headed now to our fancy farewell party, which will be a mix of lots of emotions and exhaustion that will probably result in hysterical delirium. I'm getting on a bus at 3 am to Malaga, and from there it's just a hop, skip and a jump across the Atlantic and I'll be in Birmingham late Thursday night!!!!

And here we are. The end of the end! Thanks for keeping up with this blog, listening to my rediculous stories that more often than not just prove what an idiot I am (sea urchins, anyone??)... I can't wait to see all of your faces in person and not just in your Facebook albums that I stalk!!! ...and That's All, Folks!