Goodbye Salamanca, Hello San Diego

 This past week was insane, with all the finals..but it was all well earned, as I just found out I got all A's.Saying goodbye to my Salamanca family has been the saddest thing I've ever experienced. Waking up this morning back in California, it feels like I dreamed the entire thing. Right when I was adjusting to the routine of things, I'm now forced to adjust back to reality.

Spain has been a blast, but now sitting at home in Cali I've begun to experience culture shock. From the strange faces smiling at me, to the nicer customer service, I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed the Spanish lifestyle. I sat down for a family dinner at IHOP in Los Angeles, annoyed at the waiter who kept coming back, interrupting my conversation, to see if we needed ketchup, napkins, refills, etc. Instead of asking for the receipt, my mouth kept saying "La cuenta, por favor.." it was a good thing he spoke Spanish...this morning, I took my dog for a run, and felt comforted by a familiar phrase "Buenos Dias" from a Mexican neighbor.

Sitting here in my living room seems familiar, but yet, at the same time, it seems brand new...I know I've been in this position many times before, but my mind, my body, my soul, and my heart are working now more than ever in order to make me feel at home. I didn't realize that being "at home" would feel so different..I didn't really know what to expect, rather...but as my parents begin their barbeque for my welcome home party, familiar smells and tastes get me back into the swing of things, ready to eat good chicken and cow meat...none of that JAMON anymore! :)