And With That, Goodbye.

Hello,
So as many of you know this is my last week abroad in this wonderful country. I recently had final exams which I did well on so that was a relief. I leave for the United States in two days, it's crazy how fast time flies.  Let me share some of my pictures from my final week here abroad before I get into the sappy emotional stuff.

Train ride back to Madrid

Callao!

Plaza Mayor 

Dined at the oldest restaurant in the world!

Being me!

A chocolate hedgehog!

Where do I even begin? Four years ago I was the princess of a small Connecticut town without a care in the world living the picture perfect life, never in a million years would I have thought that four years later I'd be spending my fall semester of my junior year at college across the world in Madrid, Spain. I was the goody-two-shoes who had no idea what else this world had to offer, stuck in my student-athelete ways without giving anything a second thought. It's amazing to think how things have changed. Still the good girl I've always been, I can now confidently say I'm not naive anymore. To say that this journey has changed me is a complete understatement, it has made me.  Four years ago I never did anything without my parents permission or guidance, today, I have traveled across the world on my own without my dad holding my hand. If you knew me before college, you'll all say you never thought you'd see this day. The immense amount of knowledge that I have learned about myself in these past months is something short of a miracle. It's weird to think you know who you are and what you're supposed to do at such a young age, it's even weirder to realize you were wrong and that realize who you were is not who you are, and where you're planning on going isn't where you're going to go. Ask the high school Michelle and she'd say that she was going to go to college, get a job and move right back to the only place she's known as home, Connecticut. Now ask me and I'd tell you that staying put is something I can't even fathom anymore, I want to do so many big things, go so many places and do so much. A lot has happened to me in my time at college but my time across seas is incomparable. I've become so independent and strong words can't even do it justice. I could sit here and tell you about all the wonderful times I've had and I could also go into detail about some of the times I felt at my worst, but what I am going to tell you that this journey has been an emotional roller coaster that I was not prepared for. There were times I had never felt happier in my entire life, but then there were also those moments that all I wanted to do was cry. But you know what? I wouldn't change one single thing, all the emotions I felt have helped make me the person who is going to board the plane back to the Untied States, everything that happened needed to happened. Not only have I learned a lot about myself, but I've learned so much about the world, a world I never knew existed. I've been so many places and seen so many things. So much more is happening now than anyone one of you reading this could have ever imagined. As much as I'd like to live in the bubble of New England, after this I can't, there's so much to do, to see, to help, to change. I can't reiterate it enough but this has been the most powerful experience I've ever had, and it hasn't changed me, it has made me. I just want to really quickly thank everyone who has touched me in someway throughout this journey. I always knew I had a good bunch of people I was surrounded by at home and at school but this has just confirmed what I already knew. So thanks to my Stonehill friends, still on campus, who made the effort to keep in contact with me and just generally care for me, I could list the people I'm talking about but you guys already know who you are and for that I love you. Thanks also to the people I've met here in Madrid, as much as I hate to admit it, I'll miss the ones I got close with and I appreciate the memories we've made together.  I'd also like to thank my good friends at home but also my very best friend Cailyn who has never stopped caring about me and believing in me and just being a best friend to me and so much more, I don't know what I'd do without you. To my friends who are also abroad, I love you guys more than you could ever know, having people to share this experience with, through the ups, downs, heartbreaks, etc is the greatest thing I could have ever asked for. This experience has truly shown me the meaning of love, whether it be an old love, love for friends, love for a place, love for family, I know that loving something is one of the most sacred things we have in this world. And lastly, I'd like to thank my family, the biggest support system a girl could have asked for. I want to thank MikeL for always making me smile and thank Melissa for doubling as a sister and best friend no matter what the distance between us. As for my mom, I never thought we'd get as close as we have but thanks for always being there. And last but not least, my dad, I can't thank you enough for all that you've done for me throughout my life and letting me have every opportunity I've ever wanted, a million thank you's won't ever be enough for my family. Sorry to make this so sappy, but the time has come for me to say goodbye. It's not goodbye though, I'll be back, for now, it's a see you on the other side.
And with that,
XOXO,
Michelle

Week Fourteen: More Traveling!

Hello!

So this week I had another trip with my EES class and we went to El Pardo, a forrest outside of Madrid.  It was awesome! Besides that, I traveled to Sevilla, in the south of Spain this past weekend. I was a bit lazy but I had fun! It's crazy to think my journey is coming to an end though. I am going to miss it a lot. Oh wait, we also celebrated Thanksgiving here in Madrid with my API family, that was really fun and nice because all of us Americans were really sad about not being home for the holiday we hold so close. In Sevilla I was able to watch a Flamenco show which was great! It was quite the culture experience but it makes me so happy that I was fortunate enough to see one!

Well I have exams so I shall talk to you soon!

xoxo,

Michelle

Week Thirteen: Let's Travel More!

HELLO!

Okay so hands down this may have been one of my favorite weeks. I went to Rome, Italy which was great BUT the most exciting part was visiting the mountains outside of Madrid, like OHMYGOSH were the sights breathtaking. For me EES class we had the opportunity to visit several different ecosystems which included the boreal forest and the alpine tundra! I was so stoked to finally get to be able to see some snow! Of course I did not bring any of my New England winter clothes so I was a bit chilly but boy was it fun! I have been many places in my experience abroad but I must say that this hands down wins the prize for my favorite place I have been yet. The sights and views were unbelievable, pictures cannot even do it justice. 

Oh and did I mention that on that weekend I went to Rome? Because I did! I got to meet up with a college friend, Hayley, which was really nice. We did all of the touristy things so here are a few pictures from that!

Write back soon!

xoxo,

Michelle

Week Twelve: The Spanish Kids...

Hello!
Okay so it has been a while since I have last written but I would like to tell you that in week twelve nothing too crazy happened. I had some things I needed to deal with and then I went out with the Spanish kids in my dorm for a wild night out! It was great. I was able to speak Spanish and interact with the culture with my peers as opposed to my students. I'm trying to think but I believe that's basically what happened...nothing too memorable.
Sorry I don't have pictures but this week was lame!
xoxo,
Michelle

Week Eleven: So I Turned 20?

Hello!!!! Okay so this week was kind of a bittersweet week, I turned 20. I say bittersweet because...well I'll get to that later.
So the week went by fast, teaching the spanish kids is going great and my classes are too! On Thursday it was my friend from our program, Dani's birthday so of course we went to El Tigre, our favorite tapas bar, to celebrate! Again, Lisa and I weren't feeling 100% so we stayed in.
On Friday I went to El Escorial, a famous monastery in Spain built for King Phillip, or maybe King Charles (guess I should have listened more on the tour...whoops!).  So that night I must have annoyed Lisa so much because I kept saying I didn't want to turn 20 as the next day was my birthday. I was just so torn up that I would no longer be a teenager and turning 20 meant I was actually growing up. It's crazy to think I started college at age 17 and now I'm 20, like what? But finally I got over it, well not really because I just fell asleep and woke up the next day and was like "ugh I'm old".

Outside El Escorial

El Escorial!

So Saturday was my birthday! My parents sent me the cutest texts with pictures of all my cards and gifts that will be waiting for me when I'm home! So one of the best parts of the day was that our friend Andrew, who is studying through SIT was able to visit because his layover happened to be my birthday! We met him at the airport and went out to eat and showed him Madrid and ah I loved every minute of it because not only was it great to see a Stonehill face but a face of a close friend! Definitely a great way to spend my birthday. So afterwards Lisa, Sam, Sam's friends who were visiting (Peter and Caroline) and I went for froyo to end the night. All in all it was a great birthday weekend and I couldn't be happier.

Lisa, me and Andrew on my birthday!

I shall write back next week!
xoxo,
Michelle

Week Ten: Happy Halloween and Monkeys!

Hello! Long time no write. So two weeks ago was Halloween! It was a lot of fun! I don't really have much to say though.
On that Monday I took a trip to a biological park with my science class which was fun! It was so cool because we got to be up close and personal with the animals in this park as they were not caged or anything, very cool if you ask me! After that I had my usual, classes and teaching, same old same old.

On Halloween I really did want to go out but I had been having a constant headache all week so I unfortunately did not go out as I was feeling extremely under the weather. Also something to add, both Lisa and I do not like how the Spanish kids smoke in our building because for us Americans who are eel aware of the effects of smoking, we are not used to second hand smoke so when we cannot escape it, it just leaves us feeling miserable.
So the next day was a Spanish holiday, Dia de Los Muertes. I mean we personally did not get to experience anything cool but it was interesting seeing how the city shut down because it was such a big deal. WAIT ACTUALLY I do have a story that goes along with this. So Lisa had left Friday night to do a group project and I chose to stay in, well when it got dark out I was on the computer then boom the lights go out. Just my luck that on Day of the Dead that happens. Of course I'm scared of the dark so I shoot up and run for the door. WHY DID LISA LEAVE ME ALONE? So I go out into the hall expecting all the lights to be out...nope only me and one other girls room. So that's cool, it's haunted. The ladies here flipped the breaker and nothing happened, she did it again...nothing. She told us we had to suck it up and then after like 10 minutes, they mysteriously came back on. Like are you serious? So needless to say I think my room is haunted. That's all about this week!
xoxo,
Michelle

Week Nine: PARIS!!!!!

Hi again! Okay so yea I had midterms and teaching this week BUT I WENT TO PARIS!! Okay pretty much this was the best place I have ever been to. Yes, it is possible to fall in love with a city! I have so much to say about this place like WOW.
Alright so we left early Friday morning. Well, we had to get to Barajas early, we didn't land until about 3 in Paris. So when we got there we went to grab some food. Dani, Lisa and I went to a little sandwich shop and wow it tasted good, it's true what they say; the bread is better in France! So after that Lisa and I grabbed some pastries because when in Paris that's a must! After that we headed back to our hotel which was very centrally located so we could shower and get ready for the night. So we had a lovely tour of the Louvre which was AMAZING! We were there for roughly two hours and saw a lot but considering the size of it, we saw only a fraction. Obviously seeing the Mona Lisa was must. But my favorite part was the one of the ballrooms in the Louvre where special occasions were held. The ceiling, paintings, crowning, architecture and attention to detail here was mesmerizing. Also, we got to see an Egyptian sphinx and that was incredible noting how old it actually was! The view from inside the Louvre was also amazing, words cannot describe. So after the tour, Lisa and I met up with Catie, who also goes to Stonehill and is studying in Paris through API. She has an apartment and we took a cab there and met some of her friends. It was so nice seeing a Stonehill face! So when Catie and her friends went to a club we headed back to the hotel. Of course we called it a night!

Louvre!

Louvre!

Saturday we started the day with a three hour bus tour of the city. We got to see amazing sights, the Eiffel Tower, the Military Hospital, the Latin Quarter and many more places! We were able to stop for pictures at some of the sights which was lovely! We ended the tour at Notre Dame which from the outside was insane. A group of us; Lisa, Courtney, Dani and myself got lunch at a cafe right outside the cathedral. It was such an experience. So after we ate then the four of us went on an hour boat tour up and down the river. The sights we saw were just stunning! After ending that, we went inside Notre Dame and got to see the famous cathedral. It was as beautiful as people say let me tell you! So after that we went back and got ready for dinner and our climb to the top of the Eiffel tower. So for the night it was Lisa, three boys in our program and myself. We went and had a lovely dinner at a cafe. The people I was with tried snails...ew. After dinner we went to the Eiffel Tower! On the way there we saw it sparkle which was awesome! We got in line, bought our tickets and sucked it up and climbed to the second level. What a hike that was! So worth it though. We waited in line for the elevators to the top and once we got to the top it was the craziest and most beautiful thing I have ever experienced! First of all it was so windy and cold, but it was worth it because the view was fantastic! Something I will never forget that I can tell you. So we all got a cab back and by the time we made it home it was midnight. Exhausted from the day we went to bed.

Eiffel Tower!

View from top!

Notre Dame!

Courtney, Dani, Lisa and I

Lisa, me and Dani

Sunday was our last day but we packed it full of fun that's for sure! Catie met us at our hotel and showed us around. We first went to the Arc de Triomphe, a military tribute to lost and fallen soldiers. Then we went to the Luxembourg Gardens. After that we went to the Pantheon which was so beautiful! We went into the underneath and got to see the tombs of all the famous people, a little creepy but definitely enjoyable. After that we got macaroons and gelato, so yummy! Sadly after that we had to leave Paris. So sad to go but I can't wait to come back someday!

Arc de Triomphe

Pantheon!

Gelato!

Write back soon!
xoxo,
Michelle