The weather has been crazy warm here lately it seems like, I mean that might have something to do with the fact that I was freezing in Scotland and slept with long pants, long sleeve shirt, socks, and a jacket on... but regardless I feel like it's almost springtime rather than winter. I'm not complaining because I would rather this than be upset about how cold it is but it's just really strange to me. I also really like it because it allows me to be happier about going out on runs and not being freezing. I love to run, I used to do it a lot more back in the states, but it gives me a chance to break free of the world for a little while and just be able to think about life and what it really means to be here.
I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit of a mush bucket when it comes to deep thought and like meaningful things. I'm not sure why, but it's the way I've always been. I love all corny things and truly trying to cherish every moment of every day. I already look back at some of my experiences here and think to myself, "why in the world was I thinking about that when I should have been enjoying myself in Europe?!?!" There is plenty of time to worry about social things and self-conscious issues when I'm back in the states, but for now, let's enjoy! I used to always say "no regrets" and all of those cliche terms before I started getting these self-conscious issues. But I really do need to realize, that's life and hey, everyone goes through it.
Now enough of all that sappy stuff that I have stored in the back of my mind at all times. I'm going to get excited about Barcelona! One of my best friends from High Point is studying abroad there and I haven't seen her since Oktoberfest! (which actually seems like yesterday but when you're used to seeing someone everyday it seems like a lifetime away). It's going to be so refreshing being around someone that really knows everything about me and that I have missed when I've been going through tough times over here. I wonder if i'm going to like Barcelona as much as I liked Florence, or even as much as I like it here. I've heard amazing things about the place, minus the pick pocketing of course, but I am so excited to experience it all!
This is going to be my 5th trip to a place in Europe and I am beyond excited to take my next picture in the "Thank you for giving me the world" gift for my parents when I return back to the states. I forget if I have mentioned this in any of my other blogs but it is a gift that I plan on giving them both for christmas. It is going to be a set of pictures of me in every place that I visit while being over here, holding signs that ultimately spell out "thank you for giving me the world". It was an idea that two of the girls that came to visit one of my friends over here suggested because it is what they are doing for their parents. I want to trying and think of some creative twist to it that I can make because I want it to be a little more original than just being the same as everyone else that has heard of the idea. I really think my parents are going to appreciate it because I know how hard they have worked to not only help me pay to come over here, but also how hard they have worked to raise me right in order for me to be stable enough and independent enough to do a trip like this. I know that not everyone in the world is capable of traveling this far without familiar faces and the security of being able to call their parents at any time of the day when they need them.
I'm really excited to share all of my experiences with people when I get back, but I feel like no pictures, no stories, nothing is going to be able to do this trip justice. I actually feel sorry for people that don't have a chance to study abroad or travel the world like I am doing. It's sad because yes you learn so much about the world and other cultures other than your own but you discover so much about yourself and what you're capable of, and what your true purpose in life is.
Look at me...trying to be all mushy and "wise" again...
I always catch myself doing that. I'm not sure why, but I wish that I could describe the amount of gratitude I have.
Today has definitely been a bit of a lazy day where I have been able to sit in my room in the quiet (which is very rare in this flat) and think about what I wanted to write in this blog. Yet, once again it is a blog that comes out as me just rambling about my thoughts and how happy I am to be here. This is what I enjoy though, and this is what I want to be able to look back on and see how I was feeling during this trip and what exactly I was doing on if not a day to day, then at least a week to week basis. I hope that I encounter a lot of people in my life that ask me to share my experiences with them while being abroad and give them advice on what to do and what not to do while being abroad. A few things that I would say to them are:
1. Go abroad with either just you and one or two other people that you know decently well.
2. Try not to room with your close friends if you never have before.
3. BRING A BACKPACK
4. Do some research about the weather of the place that you are studying and the places that you plan to visit so you don't have to buy as much clothes before you go.
5. Work as much and as hard as you can to earn a lot of money (it helps to relieve the stress of having to ask your parents for anymore).
6. Don't be afraid to book long bus trips (they're really not that bad)
7. Plan your trips ahead of time and book your trips EARLY. you will save a ton of money
8. Go to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany! it is the best experience you will EVER have.
9. Make international friends!
10. try not to use too many texts on your international phone, the money goes fast.
11. Don't worry about what everyone else wants to do, do what makes you happy, go where you want to go.
12. Make it a point to go out to eat at a new place (preferably a pub) at least once or twice a week
13. Be prepared for random people to walk into your flat at 7 or 8 in the morning on a sunday. (only if you're staying at Oxford Brookes on campus)
14. Buy reusable bags at the grocery story, they are much easier to carry and a lot more sturdy.
15. Never set your expectations too high, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment
16. Go on a crew date!
17. Be opened to all opportunities that come your way.
18. Don't be too much of an "obnoxious american"
19. Try to remember that "pants" here are not actually referring to jeans or sweatpants...
20. Only fall in love with places while being over here, not people.
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