Tick...tock...

Delicious tapa--a bottle of Lambrusco blush wine and 6 tapas for 10 €!

     My time here in Murcia is really starting to wrap up! I'm leaving for Malta on Saturday morning at 3:30AM and should be getting back to Murcia sometime Tuesday afternoon. In all, I have exactly one week left, but less than four days in Murcia.
     I've initiated the period of "lasts"; last frozen yogurt at Smooy, last cafe con leche at Cafe Ficciones, last grocery trip to Mercadonna. It's also the period of goodbyes to some of the amazing people I've met here. Fortunately, it hasn't been upsetting, but rather exciting. I'm thrilled to watch Bones with my Mom, wrap my arms around Ricky, and have a sleepover with my best friends. I can't wait to walk barefoot in the grass, swim in a lake, and eat a hearty Southern meal at Bojangles.

Last tiramisu and cafe con leche at Cafe Kuss

     I know I'm really going to miss this place; not just Murcia but the European lifestyle. I know I'll miss going out for coffee, exploring the streets of Murcia, and buying fresh produce at the Thursday market. I'm reflecting on the multitude of trips and experiences I've had, but I also feel like I'm remaining realistic. Studying abroad hasn't been a time of complete and constant bliss, entertainment and excitement. I've dealt with homesickness, culture shock, and a cold academic system. I've had language hiccups and gotten fed up with piropos (catcalls).

     Saying goodbye to Natalia & Jenn

     Chatting with my new friend Katherine last night, I thought about what I would've my told past-self before I studied abroad. If I could've given myself a piece of advice before I left, I would say,

 "Relax. You don't have to constantly go out and take complete advantage of every waking second of your time here. Sit down, have a coffee and chill a while." 

     I've been under the impression that every single moment of life needs to be full of action. While that philosophy is good for short stints, it's also important to remember to breathe. Realizing this, I've had a lot of time to introspect and reflect on myself, my past and my future. To an extent, I've been able to evaluate the last five months, think about how I want to use my future, and decide what I want to be doing right now, in the moment.

     Allowing yourself to rest while traveling (and in all aspects of life), gives you the energy to spend when you are taking advantage of every moment. When I got incredibly sick in Turkey, I wished that I had given myself more time to sleep instead of trying to see everything I possibly could. It's important to stay balanced, and it's helpful to remember that rest and down-time are necessary. The reason I mention this is because I had been feeling guilty for spending some time in my apartment, cooling off from the heat, relaxing, etc. After talking to other international students who experienced the same sort of feeling, I've come to terms with it. I shouldn't regret the times I felt I needed to rest my body and my mind. Studying abroad can essentially mean living out-of-your-comfort-zone 24/7, for an entire semester. Often, the only times you really feel at ease are in your apartment, drinking tea with your buddies. I'm realizing that the soul needs and deserves to recuperate from the constant stress of interacting with a culture that is completely different from your own.
     Now that I've earned my license to chill, I'm ready to start summertime! I've already compiled a list of

Things to Savor in the States: 

1. a honkin' slice of I <3 NY Pizza
2. the grass
3. some good 'ol fashion hiking
4. s'mores (inc. microwaved)
5. hugs!
6. having nothing to do
7. stories from Remy
8. hang-out time with Josh & Em
9. walking around Downtown Frederick & Carrol Creek
10. July 4th!
11. drinking & sleepovers with Dev & Erica (and hopefully Anna & Erika)
12. holding hands
13. linking arms
14. walking downtown Middletown
15. Devin and Erica's basements
16. swimming in a lake
17. bike rides
18. cleaning out my room/closet; getting rid of stuff
19. NCSU campus
20. Hillsborough Street
21. Bones with Mom
22. sharp, aged, Cabot cheddar cheese
23. kissing Ricky
24. wearing my fabulous gypsy pants
25. Bojangles
26. my house
27. running errands/driving around
28. driving!!

 Last Thursday market, so I bought some gypsy pants!