"not hurrying, but not pausing." The last few weeks have been exactly what they have needed to be. I have had days where I am so worked up about everything and anything. Days where I have spent hours separating piles of clothes, then deciding it was all wrong and starting over. On the other hand I have had times where I throw myself into a few gossip girl episodes, and all the worries and excitements of Spain just slip away. But throughout the last few weeks A LOT has happened. I went to the consulate to submit all of my papers for my Visa, which I expected to be the most painful three hours of my life. Turns out it was the easiest ten minutes of my application process thus far. the woman behind the glass window was really great, she asked for a bunch of paperwork, then it was over. Erinn also came to DC to get her Visa, so my mom and I met her and her mom for dinner. We spent almost 3 hours just going over every detail of our trip. I think by the end of it, our moms were not only really sick of hearing about Spain, but in addition I think they found comfort in knowing that they weren't alone as their crazy sixteen year old daughters begin their adventure abroad.
I have also been babysitting non-stop this entire summer. Other than working and doing lots of paperwork, I have just been trying to maintain my average American life. I went to a field hockey game and supported my team, and I hope I'll be able to make a few football games to watch my cheer sisters, and cheer them on! I have sixteen days left in America, and the reality is that almost everyday I have another goodbye to say. Last night I had a small fundraiser, where a local shop in my neighborhood, A Show of Hands, has generously agreed to give twenty percent of all earnings for this entire week to my trip abroad. We had a great party, I loved how interested everyone was, and how genuinely happy they were for me. I had great conversations with multiple people, either about my future in Spain, or their past in foreign countries. My parents did such a great job getting it all organized, and the decorations were flawless. We even had Spain colored cake pops (my favorite!). Over all, it was a great party and by the end I was exhausted.
After the party, my parents convinced me to get ice cream, and somehow I ended up in a room that my parents had rented for the night in one of my favorite restaurants, with 40 of my closest friends. It was such a surprise, and the fact that my friends and family had taken the time and extra effort to make it a surprise means the world. I love surprises! It was so fun, and It was perfect being able to see all of my friends in one place, hopefully I see them all before I leave, but if I don't... It was a great night. Thank you everyone for coming.
Then, to top the weekend off, my mom arranged for my sister and I to have a photo shoot before I left. My mom's "new thing" is documenting our entire lives, and with me leaving she wanted to make sure she got some good photos of the two of us!
I have sixteen days left in America, and while it seems like the time is going slower than ever, its only about two weeks away! Sixteen days and I will be apart from everything that has defined my life this far, I will be in New York ready for my first orientation. For now, It is just me vs. the duffel bag.
