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DAYS 34-40
Day 34: Monday, February 3rd 2014
Awful day. Today is the first day that I can say I just hated itand wanted to be home. Just for today! If home was only a car ride away. I've been sick all day and refrained from eating. I skipped my Spanish class and instead slept all day. I can't explain to the parents how I'm feeling so I'm on my own. The sun will come out tomorrow.
Day 35: Tuesday, February 4th 2014
Well, the sun didn't come out today, but it was a better day! In the mornings, I wish I had more to do. Sometimes I wonder what I'd be doing back at home everyday-since I graduated early. I'd probably be chillin on the couch with Catcher, or as I would hope; working. Meghan, the other Aupair is going home, so I won't be spening anymore time with her. :(
Literally, I spent all morning studying. My speaking skills are improving so quickly. Sometimes I will say something perfectly in Spanish, and I will sort of jump back surprised because I hadn't even planned it out in my head. The problem with living in another country and learning another language, is that I've had to dumb myself down for people to understand me. Then someone will ask me what something means in English, and it has completely left my brain because I'm so used to saying all the simple things in English. I've also been saying all the simple things in Spanish, so really, here, I'm like, dumb. hahah.
Lately I've been having digestive pain (I hate to say pancreas) so I've been taking it real easy. Eating very slow and not very much. I feel so much better today though than yesterday. Today was one of my favorite days because Nico and I have been interracting really well! It is always a struggle to get him to come and cooperate, to sit down, get creative and learn some English. But today was our best day! We did finger painting on a giant poster. We painted sun, clouds, ourselves, our names, mountains, etc. I'm impressed with Nico's English vocabulary. He now says "Good morning!" "Bye-bye daddy!" (When Chechu leaves for work), "Water, please" "Let's go!" "So close!" (when we're playing catch) "thank you" and "you're welcome." He knows all the colors, counting to 10, family member and "Let's go brush teeth."
Martín is doing awesome también! He is starting to understand me. When I first came, Martín would just stare at me when I talked. But now I ask him questions like, "Do you want to brush teeth?" "Do you want to read a story?" etc. And he'll nod his head yes. He calls me "hello." LOL! I say, "What's my name?" and he says "Hello!" It's so funny. I'll say "What does the lion say?" "ROAR!!" We're still working on the other animals, so far, every animal says roar..
He knows the word "dog" and everytime we see one he says "dog" instead of "perro." When I turn off the lights he says "ah! dark!" My most favorite thing about him is when it's bedtime, he'll crawl into Nico's bed, lay down and pat the bed for me to lay next to him and read him a story. When he wants to show me something, he grabs my hand and say "Ven!" (Which means come) He understands "hug." I'll say "Go give Nico a hug!" and he'll run from the kitchen into the living room to give him a hug. It's so cute!!
Day 36: Wednesday, February 5th 2014
uuuuugghhhh too much time was spent today at their grandma's house. I was there from 2:30-6:30. Before going over there today, I decided to think of all the positive things about being there: they feed me lunch, I get to listen to and practice Spanish, a chance to get out of the house, time to spend with other people. I guess being positive helped a little, but still, I don't like being there.
Tonight for dinner we ate the clame things. They're called mejillones (mussels in English I believe) we also ate these large shrimp things. Aww more seafood WHYYY. Wow, okay I sound really negative, I'm not a negative Nelly, I swear! I just really don't like seafood. After the seafood I felt so sick to my stomach I was ready for bed right away.
Day 37: Thursday, February 6th 2014
I'm too tired, goodnight.
Day 38: Friday, February 7th 2014
Well, today was supposed to be school but when I got there, they told me it was changed to Mondays and Thursdays. I missed the last 2 times so I missed that news. Pero bueno, it was nice to get out for a walk. I figured out how to put money on my bus card, so I took the bus to the mall today, :) all I did was browse because I was short on time today, so I'll make an actual shopping trip next week. When I came home, Chechu and Marian were leaving for Switzerland. They'll be gone all weekend, so I have 3 days here to myself to throw some wild parties! Haha, if only. I'm excited about this weekend without them here.
I'm going to be honest, I'm getting bored living here. I love all the experiences I get to have, trying new things, seeing new things, and learning a 2nd language. So don't get me wrong! I'm so grateful for everything, really. But spending so much time by myself isn't exactly ideal. Walking around the city or going to the supermarket everyday gets old after a month, especially when you have no one to spend time with. Sometimes I think about what I'd be doing back at home. Well now that I'm not in a hospital and graduated from high school, maybe I'd have a job, or I'd be attending the singles ward and doing activities with them. Even spending the day at home with my mom and dog was always good enough for me.
Lately I've been reflecting on my life and how much it's changed in the past year. I never imagined my life taking such a twist, and then ending up in Spain! One thing that really gets to me is how many people disappeared from my life once I was admitted into the hospital. I have never admitted how badly that hurt me. Was it my fault? Did I push people away? People that I used to see and talk to everyday, the ones I considered my friends or even best friends, some people that I REALLY cared about, just vanised. I can't describe the physical and emotional pain I was going through, it was the worst I've ever felt in my life, and during those times I kept wondering why so many things and opportunities were being taken away from me. But it is all clear to me now. I can't express my gratitude enough to all the people who WERE there for me, and reminded me how lucky, loved and blessed that I am. The love that my family showed to me, especially from my parents, reminded me how much I love my family and to never take them for granted. Friends will be temporary, they will come and go, but family is forever.
And so I decided I wanted to graduate early and go on an adventure, and what did my family do? They supported me, and believed that I could finish 7 whole credits in just 3 short months. And I did. So the question I asked so many times while I was in the hospital: why are so many things and opportunities being taken away from me? Finally, I've found my answer. I had opportunities taken away from me so that later I could experience some of the most incredible opportunities out there. I watched people leave my life, so that I could welcome new people, and hang on to the ones that will always mean more than everything to me.
Out of the thousands emotions I've felt in the past year, the way I feel now is just absolutely grateful. I'm out here doing something I've always wanted to do. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy, but I know in the end it will be worth it. I'm grateful for the wonderful life I've been blessed with. And for the 2 best parents in the universe.
- comments
Dad Okay, I knew that mom and I were the best parents on earth, but in the entire universe? Wow. Just another thing to brag about. :-) We love you Lyndi.
Marissa I like how dad puts a nose in his smiley face :-)