Its been more a month since I've been back and I can't tell you how time flies! I had a rough transition when I first arrived back here, as I was missing Spain and Europe immensely. I couldn't believe I wasn't going to be back there in just a week or two of vacationing, like our usual vacation weeks we had abroad. It was unbelievable how the reverse culture shock had hit me.
I actually MISSED Spain! I missed its culture, the fashion especially, and my dear friends I made across seas and those that live in America but in far away states. For the first few weeks at home, I stayed home mostly...went for walks to get myself out of my depressive state of being back, and tried to keep myself busy. I joined a gym, actually and started walking there (as I didn't have a car at the time) and back.
It was really hard adjusting to the life without my friends I made abroad. Life here felt completely different. I couldn't go to my best friend Drea's room every morning and say "hey sunshine! what you up to?" nor could I swing into Ashley's room and say "hey, can I borrow your blow dry brushes?". I felt so out of place...life felt so boring here! I missed being able to go outside and face a new adventure everyday. I missed smelling the bird poop in Plaza de Trinidad (sarcasm)...not really, but you know I missed those things that I was so use to there and at the time I may have seen some aspects negatively and was now seeing them more positively.
I missed passing by random stores on the way to and from my walk to school. I missed random cat calls in the streets by cute old men... "hola guapa!!". I missed seeing the icecream vendors and their "Granadina" slushies. And I especially missed TAPAS!!! All day and everyday!
But later, I came to the realization that I can either miss these things so much that I dwell on them or I can find/discover a new beautiful land right outside my window. Once I decided this, I started to notice the beauties around me...though they weren't the same...there were a lot of positives about America. I felt thankful for being back here, my second home as well as first.
So this summer I've been trying to make time for "living" my life here at home...exploring the city and the hidden wonders within it...meeting new people...studying a bit for the GRE...working at my part time job...and especially spending time with family. Summer has gone by so fast already, I'm stunned! It's sad to see it coming closer to an end but I'm enjoying every moment that I can.
And forever will I hold in my heart the memories and experiences I had in Spain...forever will the changes effect my life and my heart...and forever it will never be the same! :)
-Afsha
I actually MISSED Spain! I missed its culture, the fashion especially, and my dear friends I made across seas and those that live in America but in far away states. For the first few weeks at home, I stayed home mostly...went for walks to get myself out of my depressive state of being back, and tried to keep myself busy. I joined a gym, actually and started walking there (as I didn't have a car at the time) and back.
It was really hard adjusting to the life without my friends I made abroad. Life here felt completely different. I couldn't go to my best friend Drea's room every morning and say "hey sunshine! what you up to?" nor could I swing into Ashley's room and say "hey, can I borrow your blow dry brushes?". I felt so out of place...life felt so boring here! I missed being able to go outside and face a new adventure everyday. I missed smelling the bird poop in Plaza de Trinidad (sarcasm)...not really, but you know I missed those things that I was so use to there and at the time I may have seen some aspects negatively and was now seeing them more positively.
I missed passing by random stores on the way to and from my walk to school. I missed random cat calls in the streets by cute old men... "hola guapa!!". I missed seeing the icecream vendors and their "Granadina" slushies. And I especially missed TAPAS!!! All day and everyday!
But later, I came to the realization that I can either miss these things so much that I dwell on them or I can find/discover a new beautiful land right outside my window. Once I decided this, I started to notice the beauties around me...though they weren't the same...there were a lot of positives about America. I felt thankful for being back here, my second home as well as first.
So this summer I've been trying to make time for "living" my life here at home...exploring the city and the hidden wonders within it...meeting new people...studying a bit for the GRE...working at my part time job...and especially spending time with family. Summer has gone by so fast already, I'm stunned! It's sad to see it coming closer to an end but I'm enjoying every moment that I can.
And forever will I hold in my heart the memories and experiences I had in Spain...forever will the changes effect my life and my heart...and forever it will never be the same! :)
-Afsha
