Scary!

So in exactly one month I will be on a plane heading to Madrid... The closer the day gets, the more anxious I'm becoming!  I love reading other people’s travel blogs and I hope people will enjoy mine as well. It seems to me that I’m on the older side of the student travelers! I’ve only been noticing 19 and 20-year-olds but hopefully there is more students my age. I don’t need another thing to worry about when I go to Spain. I don’t know what I’ll do if there’s only 18 and 19-year-olds there! I’m gonna freak oooout! Ahhhh! Ok ok, I’m being dramatic but the age difference does matter. Sort of. I don’t know. 

So here are some of the things I’m freaking out about:

• There’s only 30 days until I leave
• The age dilemma
• I still haven’t bought my luggage
• What if I don’t fit in?
• What if I fail my classes?
• Not being able to travel
• Running out of money
• Being homesick to the point of wanting to go home a.s.a.p.
• Not learning anything
• Not having that ‘life-changing’ experience everyone talks about
• Being the only Hispanic person in the program
• Being all alone thousands of miles away from my friends and family! (I think this one is pretty obvious and expected)
• Not being comfortable ‘going out’ to bars and clubs and places like that because I’m in a committed relationship
• Not being able to go to Spain after all

So those are some of my fears that I can think of right now. I’m pretty sure there’s more I don’t remember at the moment. We'll see how things go. Ahh one month!! Can't imagine what I'll be feeling when there's only one week left and then one day!

<3

Surprises :)

On Saturday the 14, my boyfriend and my friends threw me a surprise going away party (one month in advance)! I was so excited! I had been having a bad day but I looked forward to going to the movies with Oscar. I got ready and he picked me up around 6. He asked me if I would mind if we went to one of our friend's house to pick up a book he had let her borrow before heading to the movies. I said I didn't mind and so we went. He had told me a few days back about how his friend's sister wanted the book back so I didn't find it suspicious. When we got to Marlene's house, I saw another friend standing outside talking on the phone and I thought 'What is he doing here?' So then he went inside and we followed him in and before I knew what was happening I was attacked with silly string! All I heard was 'Surprise!!!' from a bunch of people as I closed my eyes and tried to escape but they still got me!

So after all the commotion we all went inside and they told me how they had planned it all and how Oscar and I weren't really going to the movies. I just laughed and thanked them all and hugged them.

I have the best friends ever.

They made me dance with them to Coldplay and pinned dollar bills on me like how we usually do at weddings.

This guy dancing with me <3

I even danced with my best friend's baby! The cutest caterpillar baby. 

I got a monkey piñata :)                          

The Monkey Was Decapitated

Of course, they had to smash cake all over my face and my hair!

Some of the best people in the world

 Oh, how I will miss these crazy kids! <3

So Thankful.

I am truly thankful for all the help I am receiving from people that are helping me achieve this goal!

Thankful for my mother who has not left my side at all, who has been helping me, pushing me to make this happen.

Thankful for my boyfriend who let me borrow the money I needed to complete my enrollment payment.

Thankful for all the people who have been donating to my little 'Feed Ely in Spain Can'. It says "Me falta poquito, Me ayudan? Poquito es mucho! Gracias, <3ely" Which means "I'm almost there, will you help me? A little is a lot. Thank you, <3ely"

I love how many people have been helping me, and I will always remember that I didn't do this completely alone.

If you helped me in any way and are reading this, THANK YOU! I really, really, appreciate how much you have helped me. However much. :)

I'm so blessed. And excited.

<3 ely

Almost There

I'm almost there! Two more months and I'm outta here... I really can't wait to go far away to Spain! My financial aid was approved and now I just need to save up some spending money! So excited! España, para alla voy!

<3ely

One Step Closer

I'm one step closer to going to Spain!
Yesterday I called the financial aid office to ask when my paperwork was going to be processed so that I can know if I am going to be able to go this spring semester. The lady told me I would get the same amount I was going to receive for the fall semester in London (I didn't end up going to London) so that means I am able to go!!! I am 89% sure I am going and I am so excited! That's going to be me at la Plaza Mayor! :D I really can't wait. It's going to be the adventure of a lifetime!

I've never done anything big like this so I am reaaaaally super extra excited to the max. It has to happen.

Fingers crossed, positive thoughts, and happy prayers,

-ely <3

Spain, My Friend!

Spain, my friend! That's where I hope to be! 
I really want to go to Salamanca, Spain this coming spring semester 2012! So I've applied for financial aid and depending on whether or not I receive financial aid, I will begin to prepare for my beautiful trip to Spain! If not then I won't stop dreaming... I will work hard to make this happen.


I've put my dreams on hold for far too long and I really want to make them happen from now on. I received a scholarship from CHCI or the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and I hope that with that bit of money I can pay for part of my trip. I'm so excited and I really hope I can keep this blog going from Spain. It would make me veeeery happy to make one of my dreams come true! So fingers crossed, positive thoughts, and happy prayers! 


-ely <3