La Manera Natural

Just so you guys know, it is incredibly difficult to motivate one's self to do any form of homework while studying abroad. In fact, its just about impossible. At least that's how I feel about it today. No worries, I just brewed a spot of coffee, it usually does the trick, I just need to take off the elastic band, slap the fore arm a bit and clean the needle and I should be good to go (bad joke?)

"La Manera Natural" or "The Natural Way" is how I feel about being in Europe right now. You know, before I came over, I was expecting to feel anxious or worried about coming to Spain and being here for a year. I thought I wouldn't get much sleep the night before my flight and I often wondered how badly I would be shaking before getting off the plane in Madrid. But you know, I didn't have any of these feelings. I simply packed half my wardrobe (only 100 lbs worth of clothes, nbd), grabbed lunch with my parents at my favorite restaurant in Charlotte (The Flying Biscuit... which I will be eating there at least 5 times while I'm home) drove the airport, said goodbye (shockingly sobless), jumped on the plane and that was it. From then on, everything just felt like that was how it was supposed to be. No if's, and's or but's about it. Maybe it was from all the preparation with the visa and times in my drrrummming classes back at App when I'd get these rushes of adrenaline thinking, "holy poop, I'll be in Europe in like 6 months." I really don't know why, but it just felt natural to get on that plane and go to Spain (I rhyme, you like it).

I have had my fears and worries though don't get me wrong. Like, omg, how will I ever understand Carmen's brother when he talks to me? Berti (the lovely nick name I have given to her brother, Alberto, I'm 85% sure he likes it) does not speak Spanish, he speaks Andaluz. In fact, most of Carmen's friends, and Carmen for that matter, speak Andaluz. Go figure, that's cause I'm living in ANDALUCIA. My ears are adapting to the "th" of the c's and z's and the absence of the "d" and "s" in most words.

As most of you know, via facebook, I have been doing a lot of traveling since I've been here. Portugal, Alicante, Hungary and Germany. I've also had several friends come visit me too. In Alicante I saw my friend Antony, who studied at App for all of last year. It was great seeing him and speaking in Spanish together. My ticket to Hungary had been bought about 6 months ago. It was the first place I knew I wanted to go when I came to Europe (other than Spain, obviously). Spring semester of 2010 was probably one of the most memorable semester for me at App. My friend Niki studied at App then and I told her that when I came to Europe, I was DEFINITELY going to come visit her. So, I did. And when I went to Germany, I met up with two of my dear friends, Andy and Maria. We met in Berlin and had a great time catching up and exploring the city. Maria and my friend Laura, from Amsterdam, came and visited in October and my little Frenchy Fry, Johanne, visited 2 weeks ago.

Every visit has felt like that's just how it should be. Being around them just feels like home. It's the natural way I suppose. Ok, this is getting too mushy... But I guess you get the picture right? I'm not saying that Europe is like home, because I still miss North Carolina, my family and friends there. But being here, having this experience feels like its fulfilling something that was missing in my life. And seeing friends in their own countries, or at least their own continent, just feels right. You know? Ok, go ahead and vomit, I'm gonna post another, so please read.