Today marks a week that I've been home.

I'm still adjusting to the time change. I've been sleeping like a kindergartener. I get tired around 8/9pm and wake up around 7:30 am each morning. I've been sitting around a lot, not wanting to do very much at all, to be honest. I know this is normal for reverse culture shock. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed catching up with friends and family.

People consistently ask me how I feel about leaving Spain. I consistently respond with "it's bittersweet." I think bittersweet is the best way to describe it.

Why is it bitter?

• Saying goodbye or "hasta luego" to amazing people is HARD. Especially when you don't know the next time you'll get to see them. Yes, I made some great friends that I'll see back at Tulane. However, a large chunk of the people I miss live in Wisconsin or Indiana. There are also a few people in Spain that I already miss dearly -- my host parents, Rachida and Hames, my Intercambio, Almudena, all of my professors from this semester, and the WIPT office team just to name a few.
• Saying goodbye to a city that I fell in love with is also HARD! I went into study abroad not a city girl, and I came out with a deep connection to the largest city in Spain. I love that each neighborhood ("barrio") brings something new -- Centro with Sol and Plaza Mayor wins for most touristy, but still amazing to people watch and eat some churros con chocolate. Every morning, I would find myself on Gran Via to catch the bus. What an unbelievable way to wake up and start the day. In my opinion, Gran Via was the most gorgeous street in Madrid, full of bright lights and beautiful buildings. It reminded me of New York City. La Latina, the neighborhood closest to my apartment, brings tradition and authenticity. My favorite street was Calle de la Ruda, where you could find Ruda, my favorite little cafe, El Brote, a restaurant that only serves mushroom dishes, and other cute popup stores. I loved spending my Sunday mornings at El Rastro. Nearby, Lavapies will always stay close to my heart. I completed a semester-long group project on this neigborhood, so I know it like the back of my hand. Ask me for recommendations! The trendiness is unreal in Malasaña and Chueca. There's always something to do. There are still places that I didn't get to see, just because there is so much to do -- 100% an excuse to go back.
• I will miss speaking Spanish everyday and getting to practice my skills. I will miss my host mom's delicious dinners and the Spanish ham, paella, croquettes, tortilla, and other food galore. I will miss living in a cute apartment with Mimo, the spunky cat that used to bite me. I will miss the tinto de verano, discotecas, and tapas bars. I will miss the 1.50 euro cafe con leches. I will miss eating at different markets such as San Miguel and San Antón. I will miss walking around Retiro Park and admiring art at incredible museums. I will miss the ease of traveling around Spain and Europe (and how cheap it is!) I will miss the little things like paying with euros and saying hasta luego when you leave somewhere...the list goes on.

Before I burst into tears..why is coming home sweet?

• Reuniting with family and friends from home is a great feeling. AND MY DOG AND CAT of course!!! This has been the longest time I have spent away from home, and I was very excited to be welcomed back.
• Eating food I have been craving for months is also a great feeling. From peanut butter to Philly cheesesteak to cheeseburgers to pumpkin pie, my stomach has been happy. O, America!
• Seeing snow now..but in a week, I'll return to paradise weather! It was cold in Madrid, and I am looking forward to the sunshine in New Orleans
• Driving is fun.
• Sleeping in a bigger, better bed is COMFY.
• Understanding the language and cultural norms without any hesitation is nice.
• Eating earlier than 9pm every day -- thank goodness
• Less cigarette smoke and pickpocketing!!
• Plus, I am starting a new chapter in my life..next semester, I'm taking some interesting classes, Gracie is coming for Mardi Gras, I'm going to be an aunt! The list goes on! But in the words of the great Natasha Bedingfield, "the rest is still unwritten."

Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and probably the best experience of my life. I learned a lot in the classroom by taking five courses in Spanish; however, I learned even more outside of the classroom. I lived with a Spanish family and was able to communicate with them and form a great relationship with them. I figured out the metro and bus system to feel comfortable with traveling on my own. This is a huge feat for me. Before, I was a follower when it comes to public transportation. I would rely on others, hoping they would know what to do and where to go. Now, after traveling in Madrid as well as a few different countries, I have more confidence in my travel abilities! I think traveling in Madrid has made me a lot more patient as well. My commute to school was 40 minutes. Next semester, my apartment is going to be a 2-minute walk to most of my classes, which is truly hard to believe. I learned a lot about myself -- a lot of which I'm not sure I would have uncovered if I had not gone abroad.

So, THANK YOU! Thank you to my parents for giving me this gift and letting me live my best life. Thank you to my teachers along the way for giving me a fantastic Spanish foundation and encouraging me. To everyone I met abroad -- thank you for being part of my story. Finally, to my readers -- thank YOU. Writing this blog was a crucial component of my journey and saving these memories makes it even more special for me.

No me digas adios, sino hasta luego.

Un abrazo fuerte,

Lacey