Less than 48 hours...

So I'm almost ready to go to Madrid. I'm 98% packed, minus a few things I still have to use tomorrow/today (since it's already 2 am on Wednesday), and I've finished reviewing most of these looming readings that I'm supposed to get tested on, although I'm still uneasy about how I'll do on the test, but oh well. I'm getting really really sad about leaving my family, my friends, and of course, my adorable dog. I also continue to wonder how it would have been to go back to Carleton this fall, to meet new people and see familiar faces, although, as a friend once reminded me, no matter how bonding and exciting fall is, after Carleton's six week break between Thanksgiving and New Years, winter will somewhat be like starting all over again for a lot of the students (especially the freshmen). But other than these petty thoughts, I'm just getting anxious about being in Spain, possible language barriers, how my host family will like me, whether or not it will be difficult not speaking any english, etc. 

So my host family is a single mother and her seventeen year old son, I think...(I only think this because she specifically writes "the son's father" in reference to an email, although that might just be cultural...?). She has been on vacation for a month now to San Sebastian and seems very excited about my arrival, and is really caring and interested in what foods I like and other such motherly things. Speaking of food, since she seemed so interested in what I like/don't like, I decided to get my host mother an Indian cookbook and some Indian spices so that as she teaches me to cook Spanish food, I can teach her how to cook some Indian food (which I personally think is just a bit tastier than American food; no offense to any die-hard hamburger lovers out there :-D). Hopefully we can all enjoy this gift together. 

Interesting fact; the three foods I don't care too much for in America all start with "P" in Spanish: cucumber (pepino), peppers, green/red (pimiento, verde/rojo), fish (pescado). (although I'm not too picky; I can tolerate all of them in tiny amounts.)

So this entire month has really been dedicated to planning out the post-Madrid Europe traveling plans with my two friends Leona and Ryan. We have a "tentative" itinerary yet pretty solid itinerary, thorough research about hostels vs. hotels etc, maps with train stations/hostels marked out, lists of attractions to see (which will soon be marked on the maps as well), and we're getting pretty close to having a almost-travel-agency-planned trip. Leona and Ryan have a lot to take care of when I'm studying in Madrid, but it seems they've got it under control and I'm hoping that our trip is as fantastic as possible (although I'm a bit worried that Leona might freeze to death; she barely made it through the 50 degree weather tonight). 

So I still have some studying/goodbye-saying/cleaning up my room stuff to do. My dad mentions that if I can pack all I need for 3 months into two suitcases and a backpack, how come I can't just take that to Carleton when I first move in? If my dad is talking about lessening some of my clothing, he just has no idea what it's like to be a girl (sorry we can't wear the same grungy tee shirt and socks for 3 days in a row; no offense to those that don't do that). Also, things like furniture, extra school supplies, lots of clothing and shoes for ALL types of weather add up(ex: I'm not bringing snow boots to Europe). I'd hope I'm not packing all that stuff for Europe! 

So hopefully, I packed light enough so there's room for presents and souvenirs (I totally failed at spelling that word; yay for spell check) bring back  on the way back. I'm not at all worried about space, just weight because I'm at about 30 lbs for each suitcase now. If worse comes to worse, I'll pay $25.00 more and the airlines shouldn't complain too much...I hope. 

To my big group of mafia friends this summer (no, we're not actually part of the mafia); I've been missing you for a couple weeks and I hope all is going well in your respective cities/colleges. I want your addresses so you guys can get postcards (though they might end up being sent from the states...we'll see how my budget does).

To the Fantastic Four; I'm going to miss you like crazy (for the next 2 or 3 months) so please don't forget to keep in touch.

To my amazing friends at college that I won't be seeing until 2009; please write to me on this blog and facebook so I remember to write you postcards (hopefully you all have the same address!). 

To my wonderful wannabe-emo-kids-that-sit-on-the-couches-in-front-of-the-auditorium-sometimes friends from high school; I still miss you like crazy! Please give me your addresses so that I can at least write to you.

To all my other random friends; addresses, please! Pronto! 

To my family; I love you all dearly and will hopefully be seeing you someday soon. Reminder addresses would be superb, especially for those of you that have just moved!

To my parents; I love you so much, thank you for putting up with me this summer. You know I'll want to buy all of Europe for you........sooo.... some extra spending money might be nice, just a thought :)

Much love,

Jojo