17 May 2010

Spain is real

Well, yesterday I officially bought my plane ticket to Spain!! September 14th is when I will embark on my long journey. I leave around 10:50 am Colorado time and don't arrive in Madrid until 9:55 am their time! Really the entire travel time is around 11 hours without the time change, but it's still gonna be a long day.
I'm getting pretty anxious to leave the country, all of my plans are finally becoming real and this long limbo period is hard already... and I've only been home for a week! I still have a lot of things to get figured out before I go, so this time is much needed even if not much wanted. Before I go, I still need to apply and recieve my visa to study in Spain which requires a trip to L.A., California for me. The visa process for Spain is more complicated than other countries and I have to apply in person at the Consulate General, to verify that I'm a worthy citizen or something. So, besides the trip kinda being a money waster...just because I'd like to have as much saved as possible for Spanish adventures!...it will be fun to get out of Colorado, even if it's just for a few days. My friend Hannah and I might road trip to Califas or my mom and I might fly out there; plans are still undecided. I technically have to still make an appointment with the Consulate and then I will be able to make plans for certain.
Other than that, summer is just going and it sure hasn't felt like summer yet with the strange, cold, rainy weather. Everything is getting put into place though, since I moved back home, literally and figuratively. I'm back working at the "farm" for Ann and also at Steve's office, both part time - which doesn't always transfer to full time. I have more free space in my days than I would like right now, but it leaves time for good bike rides and workouts as well as play time with friends.

Chao for now!

09 May 2010

A temporary, long-time goodbye

Right now, the Animas is starting to run high with muddy water. The sun is fading behind the western hills of Durango and everything has a red-golden hue glistening on top of it. The trees are budding and starting to become green again; some have flowers, getting ready to bear ripe fruit. The streets are busy with people on bikes and scooters or on foot, heading downtown to enjoy a beer at one of the bars. Everyone seems happy and friendly, the sun brings smiles to past frozen faces.
This is the scene I will miss so much.
I left Durango today for almost 15 months and it has been difficult already.
This past semester was by far the hardest I have faced so far in school and I didn't do quite as well as I had hoped, but now I'm done...and it feels good. I decided to stay an extra week in Durango so I could relax for a few days and have more time to get things done before returning to the real world. Holy crap, what a good choice! Not having any responsibilities felt amazing! Staying out late, sleeping in, having time to myself, riding my bike, seeing friends. It was great to be able to spend time with people that I won't get to see again for a really long time and in some cases never again...just thinking about that breaks my heart.
I'm really gonna miss being able to ride my bike on the streets and not be constantly worried of getting run over, the river trail, my camera...whoever took it from Pongas, shame on you!... having my own apartment, the friendly community, but most of all, my friends who have become like a second family to me.
So I want to give a farewell to the city and people of Durango...you know who you are. You've made this past year and especially this past semester SO enjoyable. All of the jokes and laughs and crazy things we did together, I owe all those memories to you. You mean the world to me and just know that I will always remember the good times, no matter how long we are apart. You've made Durango the wonderful, enchanting town it is to me. I'm blessed to have every one of you in my life and even if our paths never cross again, it was a good run while it lasted.
I love you all. Saying goodbye was really hard for me, it always is when I'm saying goodbye to people I love and care about, people who mean the world to me.
So thank you all!