New Year´s Resolutions

First off, Happy New Year everyone!

People tend to think a lot about change around this time of year. How they can change themselves, how they’ve changed over the past year and what will be changing in the year to come. While the first two may be slightly complicated, I can answer that last one quite easily. In my case at least, quite a bit will be changing.

Three days from now, I will be boarding a plane to Madrid, where I will spend the next eight months studying, speaking, enjoying, exploring, traveling, learning, and most of all, just having some fun. And through the wonders of technology (i.e. this blog) I’ll bring you along for the ride.

So, in the spirit of today’s holiday, here are my New Year’s resolutions. But first, a little background:

• I’ve taken Spanish since seventh grade and just completed a conversation class at school, so I will be able to get by, communication-wise, although I’m fully expecting to be overwhelmed when I first get there.
• While most students go through an American university or a program provider for their semesters abroad, I decided to directly enroll in a Spanish university in Madrid. I’m flying solo and my “program” simply consists of the couple hundred other international students at the university.
• I will be living with a host mother (señora) who told me over the phone that she “speaks not a word of English.”
• And finally, while I have been to Europe before, this will be my first time in Spain.

Now for the resolutions:

1. I will force myself to speak Spanish as much as possible, no matter how awkward I feel.
2. I will make an extra effort to meet non-Americans. (I love you Yanks but I’m not flying an ocean away to spend time with people who appreciate Big Macs and bad reality TV the way we do).
3. I will not complain that there’s nothing to do. If I find myself feeling bored, I will get up, get out, and find something to do.
4. I will try new things (maybe even the octopus tapas that seem to be so popular).
5. And finally, I promise I will regularly update this blog.

I know what you’re thinking, but New Year’s resolutions are supposed to be lofty and unattainable, right?

As always, any thoughts, questions, comments or suggestions are welcome.

And for everyone at home, you know I’m gonna miss you greatly, so keep in touch!

Now, about meeting those luggage weight requirements…well, we’ll see how that goes