It's already Thursday?

Another week has flown by and again I found myself saying to my co-worker, Lauren, this morning - "It's already Thursday?!" For the past four months or so, it seems that every week flies by. It may start off slowly, but I'm always shocked that the end arrives so quickly.

I just don't understand it. Why is time going so fast? I feel that as I've gotten older, time does seem to go so much quicker. I'm not sure why it is and I'm not sure that I like it! I was speaking to another co-worker last week about this. Her theory is that it's because we're living in a place like Spain where work and life are so balanced. Although the work week might be busy and stressful, it never takes over your personal life to the extent it did in the states. And so, the weekend always arrives quickly because you don't need it quite the way you did before.

Although I don't want time to go by any faster - I feel like there's so much to enjoy right now! - I will take a positive work life/social life balance any day of the week. Yet another reason why I love Spain . . . :)

So, so different . . . and so, so great!

Although I knew it would happen again, I'm still surprised by how love has snuck up on me this time around - and by just how fantastic it is! The ease of it, the fun, the constant learning about someone else and yourself at the same time - love really is grand.

This time is definitely different than any other before, too. I feel so different, "it" feels so different, and the situation is completely unlike any other I've had before! Living abroad and beginning a relationship with someone else living abroad is not quite like meeting a guy in Colorado!

As I've mentioned to Matias, it's so crazy to me to think about what completely different lives we led before moving to Spain. Different countries and cultures, different languages, different experiences. And I'm amazed how just a few months ago, we were living completely separate lives in Barcelona. Yet, one night in a small, smoky Spanish bar completely changed everything!

Life is so amazing to me - it really does work out, especially in ways and places that you least expect it. And so, I look forward to enjoying this new experience - the differences, the learning about culture and language that it's sure to bring, and the happiness. ♥

Gracias, Mendoza!

This past week, I saw my friend Katie for the first time in two and a half years. Emily and I met Katie in Mendoza, Argentina in the summer of 2008 when we spent two weeks in Chile and Argentina. It was that trip that was the catalyst for us deciding to move abroad. Needless to say, seeing Katie again brought back some great memories!

I vividly remember that trip - the Spanish classes, staying with a family for a week, the bicycle tour to wineries, meeting Felipe, Katie, and Euan, who became great friends, and so, so many laughs. Although I had always, always loved our travels (all of which had been to Spanish-speaking countries), there was something about this time in Mendoza that caused me to know I had to live the Spanish/Latin lifestyle. Enjoying it while traveling just wasn't enough!

And so, after returning home and quickly realizing that we just couldn't live a Spanish lifestyle in the USA (no matter how many empanadas we made or siestas we took!), Emily and I both started looking into international teaching. Although I arrived at international teaching in a roundabout way, I am happy to say that I've been living the Spanish life for over a year and a half now. And I have to admit that the reality of it is even better than expected!

The past few days have been a great reminder of just how amazing that trip was - the people, the city, the experiences, the laughs - muchas gracias, Mendoza!