It’s no secret that’s it’s been a while since I’ve blogged at all. My last published post was about two-and-a-half months ago. Sorry guys…
To be honest, I don’t have any earth shattering excuses or crazy, out of this world scenarios that have prevented me from blogging to share with you. I simply have just put this blog on the back burner while I’ve been teaching, improving my Spanish, making new friends, and, honestly, just enjoying my life in Spain.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve started a few draft blog posts but never finished them or got them to a point that I felt comfortable with. It’s been a struggle trying to share all experiences through words, and I’m not going to publish a post that I am not 100% comfortable with for the sake of just publishing something.
While day in and day out my life isn’t this magical, whimsical paradise that many imagine life abroad to be, there are still small moments each and every day that I experience and are special to me. One day, maybe it’s having a conversation with a café employee in Spain, and the next it’s seeing the look of amazement on a student’s face when I see him or her in the street and they realize that I can actually speak Spanish–because I speak no Spanish in class. It could also be a weekend trip with now, old friends, or new ones, to a small village or new city. There are also the peaceful runs I take out through the countryside of La Rioja. All of these are unique experiences that have allowed me to really love Logroño and La Rioja. However, they are often difficult to put into words and have someone else across the world truly imagine and feel the experience.
The one thing I can honestly say is that since the beginning of 2015, I have really tried to immerse myself into Logroño and everything it has to offer. By doing this, I have really fallen in love with it, which is why I have decided to stay here another year.
Initially, I flirted with the idea of moving to Andalucía or another part of Spain but ultimately decided to stay put, primarily because of my wonderful friends here and the excellent school I’m working at. I couldn’t be happier about my decision either!
I’ll get to look at this view everyday for another year!
In about five weeks though, I’ll be heading home for summer, and it’s recently hit me that it’s going to be difficult to leave, even if it’s just for a few short months. I love the life I have built here. Although it goes without saying that I obviously miss friends and family from back home. Eight months ago, I would have never imagined that how happy and content I would be living here. I wouldn’t have been able to imagine all the wonderful people–friends, students, co-workers, strangers, etc.–that I would have met who have gone out of their way to include me and make me part of their lives. Looking back on it, this year has undoubtedly been one of the best years of my life.
This is exactly why it’s been so difficult for me to sum everything up in a short blog post. I want to explain every minute detail, every sensation, and every thought to give you the complete picture of my live abroad, so maybe you can live vicariously through me, keep up-to-date on my journey, or plan your next adventure abroad or wherever!
My plan is to continue blogging to give everyone a glimpse at my thoughts, what I’m seeing, what I’m learning, and all-in-all my life in Spain. So, please forgive my recent inactivity on here and continue to follow along as I have some major updating to do starting with my, ahhhh, Christmas break travels!