¡Adiós!

"Life is what happens to you while you're making other plans."

                                                     — John Lennon

This is a line in the song "Beautiful Boy," which is played in one of my favorite movies, "Mr. Holland's Opus."

It's a line that applies to so many of us — we are constantly striving for more. Once one goal is accomplished, the honeymoon effect lasts for a day or two, and then it's back to the next hurdle.

I'm not necessarily saying that there is something largely wrong with that. Goals are necessary and they are something that gives us a sense of purpose.

But it's also important to relish where you are in life. Instead of constantly looking to and worrying about the future, be thankful for your present state.

And that brings me to my present state. Today is my departure date, and at 4:45 p.m. (as long as there are no delays due to the arctic Chicago weather!), I will take off to Madrid with a short connection to Granada.

As I mentioned in my first post, studying abroad is something that I have wanted to do for many years. In middle school or early in high school, I don't recall which, I remember looking through brochures on short trips to Africa. In my head I was set to jet off to Tanzania to go on safaris, among other things. I even started saving money. But with no job, that dream didn't go far. One day, I'll get to Tanzania, but I made my dream to study abroad reality with the Granada program. 

I have been planning for this trip ever since I found out I was accepted into the program last summer. What classes to take, what to pack, where else to travel to, filling out endless forms, earning and saving money, et cetera. I made sure to practice mi español as well.

When I get to Granada, I don't want to plan anymore. Of course I can't completely throw all my cares to the wind or leave the trip planning responsibilities to everyone else (I don't think my personality would let me do that anyway). But I want to enjoy every moment I can.

After all, I think the stories that I come back to the United States to tell will be those that came from the unplanned moments. All the unexpected things that will happen that I have no way of preparing for will be the ones that stick out the most.

Unfortunately, I have a terrible time remembering certain things, so (fortunately) I will be recording many of those moments here. I'm sure my parents are happy with that statement as they read this. (They think I don't tell them anything, but really, a lot of it is because I forget.)

Friends and family, you won't be able to text or call me while I'm abroad, but I will be using the app "Viber" to text, so download it and add me! I'll be on Facebook and Skype too.

Keep in touch while I live life — I will want to hear about yours, too!