¡FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS A LYNNIE!

As some of you may know, I usually have a lot of trouble living “in the moment”. I tend to dwell on things in the past, or think about things that are to come. I was actually reeeeeeally bad at this when I first got here and it drove me crazy… I’ll spare you the details, but basically when I thought about the past I got sad, and when I thought about the future I freaked out . However, I am proud to say that I have gotten so much better at it since I’ve been here! I just realized that I was wasting my time and energy on these thoughts, and it could interfere with my enjoying this experience to its fullest.

Since I focus so much on what I’m doing right now, I haven’t experienced much homesickness (thankfully). But, there have been 2 or 3 days so far, when I can’t help but spend a lot of time thinking about the people back home and what they might be doing… and today is one of them. It’s my mom’s birthday! Whoo hooooooo! I really wish I could be there in person to help her celebrate, eat some cake and give her a big ol’ birthday hug and smooch. So the next time you see her, feel free to lay one on her and say it’s from me ; ) February 17 is a day that outranks Thanksgiving for me when it comes to being thankful for what I have in my life ( So does June 21st Dad, don’t cry haha). Well, obviously I’m thankful for her every day, but on her birthday I am extra happy that she was born… so thanks Grandma haha.

Even though I wouldn’t describe it as being homesick, there are some things I miss from home. The ones that immediately come to mind are:

DRIVING: I think the longest I ever went without driving since I got my license was 3 weeks. So, after 4 months+, I’m nervous my amazing driving skills will go out the window.

HAVING A YARD INBETWEEN MY NEIGHBORS AND MY HOUSE: The walls between apartments in my building are ridiculously thin. The crying baby living in the apt next to ours might as well be sleeping in my bed with me. And although the roller derby that apparently takes place the floor above me everyday sounds like fun, I’d prefer that I didn’t have to live underneath it.

MY OWN ROOM: It’s just inconvenient sharing with someone else (especially when we have opposite sleeping schedules).

MY OWN BATHROOM: I can’t just leave my stuff strewn about here like I always do at home :(

MY SHOWER: here, I use the most awkward shower ever created. Seriously.

REAL WINDOWS: my bedroom window and all of the windows in the community areas of the apartment look into our “courtyard”… I can never look outside. And those windows are also...ok I do not know the real term for it... but they're foggy/glazy/blurry so you can't see through them. It’s depressing.

ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURES: The whole building is on the same thermostat, which apparently only has the settings “freezing” and “blazing”.

DISHWASHER: See previous blog

DRYER: See previous blog

CLOCKS: Our apartment only has one (in the kitchen), and I have yet to see one at my school.

MY MORNING RITUALS: Oh Regis & Kelly and the View. How I miss getting ready with you in the background and having my morning coffee with you!

COFFEE: Using my delicious coffee in my little coffee maker is an integral part of the aforementioned morning ritual. The only flavor Spain makes is apparently “Dirt”. Fo real. (Thanks mom and dad for the Folgers bags… I dread the morning when they run out!)

BOWLS: We have none

MUGS: We have none (We have 3 combo bowlmugs that have to work for both)

A TOASTER: I make toast on the stove everyday. What is this, 1892?

Well I guess I miss a lot of things from home! (And that doesn’t even include my long list of restaurants)… But more than anything, I do miss my people. I have a lot of pictures around my room that make me feel like a tiny, frozen versions of most of you are living with me! (creepy, I know)

Tomorrow after class I am off to Paris, France and Koln, Germany with 2 of my roommates! We have a winter break from Friday to Tuesday and are using it as travel time. It should be a lot of fun. I’ll let you know how it goes and will share a few pictures when I get back. Well, I need to study for an art history midterm I have tomorrow… HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM.