The Return
After two and a half weeks of exploring Spain with my girlfriends, I have finally arrived in Madrid. For those of you unaware of my recent move here, I was selected to participate in the Fulbright program as an English teaching assistant. While there are several Fulbright grants I could have applied for, this one aligns with my most recent educational endeavor. I am honored to be a Fulbright recipient and hope to make my program and my country proud during the year I'll be spending here.
The trip with my girlfriends was a success. For them, I wanted a trip that was vibrant and full of new experiences worth remembering. For me, I wanted to be reintroduced to Spain. I spent two and a half years in beautiful Southern California and absolutely loved every minute of it. I lived in the heart of LA, made friends, and started working in my field. Even with all of that, there was something missing. I didn't feel challenged in a way that would propel me forward. I mostly felt challenged by being frustrated with situations that wouldn't create a positive change in my life. These two weeks and hopefully, these next nine months, will serve me well.
Our trip started in Barcelona. It was followed by Málaga, Granada, Sevilla, Madrid, and finally Barcelona again.
Here are some pictures from the trip taken by my friend, Kimberly, and some by me.
Barcelona would be the last city I would spend with them. After some tearful goodbyes, I made my way to Logroño, where I spent most of my time wandering around my old stomping grounds and enjoying their delicious wine and pinchos. After a couple of days there, I departed for Madrid. I've been here about three days and so far, it's been good to me.
Being alone in a new city is very intimidating. My challenge this year, besides the obvious challenges of teaching and networking, is to look inward for strength. I have spent most of my twenties building relationships with many wonderful people, but at times have failed at strengthening the relationship with myself. I want to be dependent on no one other than myself. I'd like to be more assertive and decisive. I'll never forget the advice I got when I was on my first tour with the Young Americans. It was the first time I had been given the responsibility of teaching something on my own and I was nervous about it. Believe it or not, back then I was pretty shy. My beautiful friend told me, "Remember: You're tiny, but mighty."
Tomorrow, I officially begin my experience as a Fulbrighter. Tomorrow, a new chapter begins.
The trip with my girlfriends was a success. For them, I wanted a trip that was vibrant and full of new experiences worth remembering. For me, I wanted to be reintroduced to Spain. I spent two and a half years in beautiful Southern California and absolutely loved every minute of it. I lived in the heart of LA, made friends, and started working in my field. Even with all of that, there was something missing. I didn't feel challenged in a way that would propel me forward. I mostly felt challenged by being frustrated with situations that wouldn't create a positive change in my life. These two weeks and hopefully, these next nine months, will serve me well.
Our trip started in Barcelona. It was followed by Málaga, Granada, Sevilla, Madrid, and finally Barcelona again.
Here are some pictures from the trip taken by my friend, Kimberly, and some by me.
Fiestas in Barcelona
Strolling around with my friends
Flamenco caves in Granada
Malaga
Dressed up for the flamenco show
New friends on our last night in Barcelona
Barcelona would be the last city I would spend with them. After some tearful goodbyes, I made my way to Logroño, where I spent most of my time wandering around my old stomping grounds and enjoying their delicious wine and pinchos. After a couple of days there, I departed for Madrid. I've been here about three days and so far, it's been good to me.
Being alone in a new city is very intimidating. My challenge this year, besides the obvious challenges of teaching and networking, is to look inward for strength. I have spent most of my twenties building relationships with many wonderful people, but at times have failed at strengthening the relationship with myself. I want to be dependent on no one other than myself. I'd like to be more assertive and decisive. I'll never forget the advice I got when I was on my first tour with the Young Americans. It was the first time I had been given the responsibility of teaching something on my own and I was nervous about it. Believe it or not, back then I was pretty shy. My beautiful friend told me, "Remember: You're tiny, but mighty."
Tomorrow, I officially begin my experience as a Fulbrighter. Tomorrow, a new chapter begins.
Have a great return! Madrid can be a magical city if you let it :)
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