Home is where the heart is.
So incredibly cliche, but for me right now, it is so incredibly true.
My journey home felt like an odyssey of sorts. Let me explain why. I had a smooth flight from Madrid to Newark, NJ - we landed early and customs was a breeze. My luggage even got there safely - first miracle of the day! I transferred terminals just fine and got through security without a problem. Then came the hurdles. My flight back home got cancelled which threw me into momentary panic as I have never in my life had a flight cancelled. Thankfully, with my father's lessons in sweet-talking and my naturally sweet demeanor (hehe), I was able to be put on a flight home scheduled two hours later, and put into first class for no extra charge! That was definitely a "Thank you God" moment, the second little miracle of the day.
But then, of course, that flight got delayed an additional 6 hours. What was I supposed to do with myself for 6 hours? How was I supposed to stay AWAKE?! Well, since 25 other flights were cancelled that day, I decided to interact with my fellow travelers and hear their stories. One of the most fascinating experiences a human being could ever have, besides feeling like a minority, is to become fully aware of the fact that everyone, every one of the over 6 billion people in this world, has a story. The airport is the perfect place to discover a mulitude of stories. I met a family from Knoxville, TN flying home after they went on a relaxing European vacation. I met a lady from Oxford, OH who has a farm and we exchanged tomato sauce recipes and learned a thing or two from each other. I met a girl from Northern Ohio about to start her 5th year of college with a fiance and is as busy as ever, but she helped me stay awake in those late hours right before my flight took off (at 12:30 am)!!
One of my favorites to meet was a worker at the newstand who saw me come through three times as my flight status kept changing. She put on a blank face with everyone else, but for some reason her face would light up as I came to buy my snack, then my magazine, and then some further hydration as my flight got further delayed. I think it was because I actually looked her in the eye and talked to her. She had the most beautiful laugh. I wish people would stop more and talk to the people helping them out, you know? That laugh, as well as the kindess in those people I met, were the most lovely miracles in my day. They helped me through my anxiousness and allowed me to stay awake through it all. I got home at 2am EST to tired but very happy parents all the same.
Now I'm home and absolutely relishing in some much-needed me-time. This is the beginning of harvest time for my family's garden, so the taste of home-grown vegetables is simply divine for me. Yes, I am about to embark on further responsibilities such as my thesis, taking the GRE and further researching grad schools, but for now spending time with my family is all I really need.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
5 Lessons I Learned in Spain
Well, it's about time I updated this blog!! My apologies for being so out of touch - work and the Spanish lifestyle have certainly kept me busy!!
I finished my last day of work today, and I was pleasantly surprised by the editorial staff when they brought us each a free Spanish dictionary from the company and made us delicious brownies. I felt the love and appreciation today. That makes me so happy and joyful in my heart, to know that I have done good work for them and that they appreciate it. I think that being appreciated by someone is one of those little daily miracles that can sometimes be overlooked. Tell someone you love that you appreciate them - it will be such a miracle in their day!
Spain has taught me so much. I have gone through many struggles here, but I firmly believe that the lessons I have learned and the successes I have experienced make up for it all.
So. Five lessons. Here we go...
1. There is always going to be someone who is better than you. Embrace the beauty of who you are.
-- We all compare ourselves to others far too much. When we meet someone who seems to be smarter, prettier, more accomplished or making more of an impression, it is hard not to completely focus on all our faults, all at once. This tendency to compare myself to others has been a constant struggle, but now after being here and experiencing this internship, I see that it does not do to think in such a negative manner. For the reality is that no one can achieve pure perfection. It's just not possible. Instead, we should all focus on the beauty that lies within our souls. Each and every one of us has a story, something that makes us special and unique unlike anyone else on this Earth. Embrace that beauty!
2. Cherish moments with family.
-- I think the long Spanish dinners and the board games with my host family truly made me see the importance of this lesson. Americans are too antsy. We rush through our dinners and plan everything to a T. Spaniards spend 2 hours eating dinner and having meaningful conversation. They relish in good food and take the time to play board games with one another. I have missed my family terribly while I have been gone, and now I know I will cherish every dinner, every board game, every movie marathon...everything. Even more.
3. Being spontaneous is okay. Sometimes taking risks and not having any plans turns out for the best.
-- My life has been extremely spontaneous here. Anyone who tried to plan a Skype date with me knows this. What a difference from my typical "plan everything to a T" routine. Some of the most fruitful experiences came from making a decision right on the spot. We would walk into the most fantastic restaurant, or we would wake up one morning and say "Let's go into Madrid" and have the best time. Obviously, there are some things in life you must plan. However, I urge you all to try being spontaneous one day if, like me, you like to plan everything all the time. It takes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible.
4. Being the minority in any situation is tough.
-- Honestly, this was the first time in my whole life where I have felt like a minority. Americans living in the parts of Spain I lived were extremely sparse. I was judged for my American accent when speaking Spanish. I received strange glances many, many times that really shook my confidence sometimes. I kept trying though, working through the cultural differences and doing my best to adapt. I now have increased empathy for international students, immigrants, refugees, any foreigner really. I know exactly how it feels now, and I want to bestow the kindness and understanding upon them that I wished I received more of here.
5. Globalization is very real.
-- I learn about globalization in university. All the philosophical theories behind it and the predictions about its effects have been ingrained in my brain, but I have never really seen it come to fruition until now. What struck me most about Spain was that all the music on the radio is in English. Yes, I'm serious! So the Spanish population that doesn't know English therefore does not understand the lyrics of the music they listen to on the radio! They focus on the beat instead. Crazy, isn't it? But this trend also shows me that there is more opportunity for bilingualism here - there is so much more exposure to English here than we have in Spanish for example in the US.
Most of all, I have realized the importance of love while in Spain. I did not receive a hug for a month and a half, so when I got my first hug from my host family's baby girl, I seriously felt like it was a God-given miracle!! Among the wonderful publishing experience and beautiful Spanish food, I have developed even more empathy and love for others. Mission accomplished, I'd say. :)
I finished my last day of work today, and I was pleasantly surprised by the editorial staff when they brought us each a free Spanish dictionary from the company and made us delicious brownies. I felt the love and appreciation today. That makes me so happy and joyful in my heart, to know that I have done good work for them and that they appreciate it. I think that being appreciated by someone is one of those little daily miracles that can sometimes be overlooked. Tell someone you love that you appreciate them - it will be such a miracle in their day!
Spain has taught me so much. I have gone through many struggles here, but I firmly believe that the lessons I have learned and the successes I have experienced make up for it all.
So. Five lessons. Here we go...
1. There is always going to be someone who is better than you. Embrace the beauty of who you are.
-- We all compare ourselves to others far too much. When we meet someone who seems to be smarter, prettier, more accomplished or making more of an impression, it is hard not to completely focus on all our faults, all at once. This tendency to compare myself to others has been a constant struggle, but now after being here and experiencing this internship, I see that it does not do to think in such a negative manner. For the reality is that no one can achieve pure perfection. It's just not possible. Instead, we should all focus on the beauty that lies within our souls. Each and every one of us has a story, something that makes us special and unique unlike anyone else on this Earth. Embrace that beauty!
2. Cherish moments with family.
-- I think the long Spanish dinners and the board games with my host family truly made me see the importance of this lesson. Americans are too antsy. We rush through our dinners and plan everything to a T. Spaniards spend 2 hours eating dinner and having meaningful conversation. They relish in good food and take the time to play board games with one another. I have missed my family terribly while I have been gone, and now I know I will cherish every dinner, every board game, every movie marathon...everything. Even more.
3. Being spontaneous is okay. Sometimes taking risks and not having any plans turns out for the best.
-- My life has been extremely spontaneous here. Anyone who tried to plan a Skype date with me knows this. What a difference from my typical "plan everything to a T" routine. Some of the most fruitful experiences came from making a decision right on the spot. We would walk into the most fantastic restaurant, or we would wake up one morning and say "Let's go into Madrid" and have the best time. Obviously, there are some things in life you must plan. However, I urge you all to try being spontaneous one day if, like me, you like to plan everything all the time. It takes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible.
4. Being the minority in any situation is tough.
-- Honestly, this was the first time in my whole life where I have felt like a minority. Americans living in the parts of Spain I lived were extremely sparse. I was judged for my American accent when speaking Spanish. I received strange glances many, many times that really shook my confidence sometimes. I kept trying though, working through the cultural differences and doing my best to adapt. I now have increased empathy for international students, immigrants, refugees, any foreigner really. I know exactly how it feels now, and I want to bestow the kindness and understanding upon them that I wished I received more of here.
5. Globalization is very real.
-- I learn about globalization in university. All the philosophical theories behind it and the predictions about its effects have been ingrained in my brain, but I have never really seen it come to fruition until now. What struck me most about Spain was that all the music on the radio is in English. Yes, I'm serious! So the Spanish population that doesn't know English therefore does not understand the lyrics of the music they listen to on the radio! They focus on the beat instead. Crazy, isn't it? But this trend also shows me that there is more opportunity for bilingualism here - there is so much more exposure to English here than we have in Spanish for example in the US.
Most of all, I have realized the importance of love while in Spain. I did not receive a hug for a month and a half, so when I got my first hug from my host family's baby girl, I seriously felt like it was a God-given miracle!! Among the wonderful publishing experience and beautiful Spanish food, I have developed even more empathy and love for others. Mission accomplished, I'd say. :)
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