These past two weekends were spent in Seville. It consisted of afternoon sunshine catching up on my reading, tapas at one of my favorite places Los Coloniales, Chinese food with some new friends, riding my Sevici around town, drinks with spanish friends, relaxing by the glistening sevilla river, and more Sevilla adventures.
This past weekend my best friends from college Brittnee and Kelsee visited me in Seville from where they are placed for teaching in a small town outside Granada called Baza. It was wonderful to have them here. It felt like home. When I am with them, no matter where we are, I always feel a sense of ease, as though I am home. We roomed for 3 years together in college and the first year they were just a floor below. The weekend was great. I took them to some of my favorite tapa bars or restaurants and the major tourist points such as Plaza Espana and the Cathedral. It was so much fun being with them in Spain because for years, we all wanted to teach abroad and we are all living our dream now. We were able to share stories, frusterations, memories, the good and bad times. If only Suze was with us....
With the time passed of almost 5 months in Spain, it is appropriate for a near-mid-reflection. When I studied in London, 4 months was it. Time was done. Whether I wanted to leave or not, the force of time brought me back home. As I cried on my last day there, I had to say my goodbyes to new friends and an amazing city that I came to LOVE. This time, it is not time to be finished. I still have months. Its a different mindset that study abroad. We have an actual life here. A job, bank account, mobile phone, and deadlines for rent.
In the past 5 months, I have grown and learned about myself and outside factors which make me myself. I have reflected on this world, America, my home, my job, other jobs, my faith, relationships, friendship, love and the mysterious thing we call the future.
I will start with my reflection on why I am here in the first place, teaching (besides my love for travel and adventure). I have realized I am glad I didnt major in elementary education. God bless those who did and I am sure you will make great teachers (such as one of best friends, Kendra). However, it is not for me. I am glad that I will teach high school or junior high. I am excited to teach the subjects which I enjoy such as culinary, or anything to do with foods, baking, interior or fashion design, career options, and other home economics subjects. I am excited to teach for a little while, but then hopefully start one of my other dream jobs. I have also learned many things NOT to do in a classroom regarding classroom management.
Next, I have learned how important it is to follow your heart. There were decisions in my past that I followed my mind. I thought and overanalyzed the situation, and I now realize it was the wrong decision. Many of you can relate. As I look back on my decisions I have made with my heart, they have been good ones that produced good outcomes and happiness. Although it is very important to think with your mind when making decisions, dont forget how strong your heart can be. Just know when you can ues your mind and when you can use your heart.
However, I also have learned that mistakes are memories made. Im not going to get into too much detail here but that its important to remember that any mistakes or anything you wish you could turn around and not have happened at all, are memories made. You need to be able to look back on some things when you are older from your twenties and reflect on them. We all need stories for our children, right? :)
Next, I have learned the importance of silence and reflection. Through my junior and high school years and into college, to say the least, I was a loud person who always wanted to be around people. People would know me as loud. If you knew me then and you know me now (most of you readers) you would know the difference. Im not that loud person anymore. I still have my moments, usually with my friends and family, but thats the past. Now I realize every day you need reflection and silence. Here its so easy to journal with my commute time on the train. It helps with gathering my thoughts together. I have to write things to organize my thoughts. I think part of being a strong and mature woman is to be able to be alone. Do things independently and without the distraction and varied opinions from friends or family. I know people who arnt at this point yet, and I hope one day they are able to be.
I have also learned how much self improvement and challenging myself and others are apart of my life. Every day, I want to improve. I want to be the best Alice I can be. I also want to help others and help them become the best they can. Self improvement involves reflection and challenging onesself to be better. With outside factors, friends, and family, they have all helped me become this woman I am today.
Next, I will state something I have said endless times since my first time being abroad, true friendship will show itself and last. True friends do show themself. When I was in London, I first came to this realization. This topic touches close to my heart because I care so much for my friends and have been through a number of ups and downs with them. They have stayed by my side during low times and have shown they support and care for me. I have seen who my true friends are while I am abroad in another country. A short fb message, a brief email update, an electronic smile, told you they looked at your pics, read your blog, etc,..... whichever. Every little thing matters when you are abroad. And when I say "I miss you and wish I was there", I mean it. The usual response is "But youre in SPAIN meeting a million new people and seeing a billion places." But, really, I miss you. Anyone who has experienced it will agree with me. I want all my friends to know that I love you and will always be here for you. No matter the distance. I will be home, soon enough.
This past weekend my best friends from college Brittnee and Kelsee visited me in Seville from where they are placed for teaching in a small town outside Granada called Baza. It was wonderful to have them here. It felt like home. When I am with them, no matter where we are, I always feel a sense of ease, as though I am home. We roomed for 3 years together in college and the first year they were just a floor below. The weekend was great. I took them to some of my favorite tapa bars or restaurants and the major tourist points such as Plaza Espana and the Cathedral. It was so much fun being with them in Spain because for years, we all wanted to teach abroad and we are all living our dream now. We were able to share stories, frusterations, memories, the good and bad times. If only Suze was with us....
With the time passed of almost 5 months in Spain, it is appropriate for a near-mid-reflection. When I studied in London, 4 months was it. Time was done. Whether I wanted to leave or not, the force of time brought me back home. As I cried on my last day there, I had to say my goodbyes to new friends and an amazing city that I came to LOVE. This time, it is not time to be finished. I still have months. Its a different mindset that study abroad. We have an actual life here. A job, bank account, mobile phone, and deadlines for rent.
In the past 5 months, I have grown and learned about myself and outside factors which make me myself. I have reflected on this world, America, my home, my job, other jobs, my faith, relationships, friendship, love and the mysterious thing we call the future.
I will start with my reflection on why I am here in the first place, teaching (besides my love for travel and adventure). I have realized I am glad I didnt major in elementary education. God bless those who did and I am sure you will make great teachers (such as one of best friends, Kendra). However, it is not for me. I am glad that I will teach high school or junior high. I am excited to teach the subjects which I enjoy such as culinary, or anything to do with foods, baking, interior or fashion design, career options, and other home economics subjects. I am excited to teach for a little while, but then hopefully start one of my other dream jobs. I have also learned many things NOT to do in a classroom regarding classroom management.
Next, I have learned how important it is to follow your heart. There were decisions in my past that I followed my mind. I thought and overanalyzed the situation, and I now realize it was the wrong decision. Many of you can relate. As I look back on my decisions I have made with my heart, they have been good ones that produced good outcomes and happiness. Although it is very important to think with your mind when making decisions, dont forget how strong your heart can be. Just know when you can ues your mind and when you can use your heart.
However, I also have learned that mistakes are memories made. Im not going to get into too much detail here but that its important to remember that any mistakes or anything you wish you could turn around and not have happened at all, are memories made. You need to be able to look back on some things when you are older from your twenties and reflect on them. We all need stories for our children, right? :)
Next, I have learned the importance of silence and reflection. Through my junior and high school years and into college, to say the least, I was a loud person who always wanted to be around people. People would know me as loud. If you knew me then and you know me now (most of you readers) you would know the difference. Im not that loud person anymore. I still have my moments, usually with my friends and family, but thats the past. Now I realize every day you need reflection and silence. Here its so easy to journal with my commute time on the train. It helps with gathering my thoughts together. I have to write things to organize my thoughts. I think part of being a strong and mature woman is to be able to be alone. Do things independently and without the distraction and varied opinions from friends or family. I know people who arnt at this point yet, and I hope one day they are able to be.
I have also learned how much self improvement and challenging myself and others are apart of my life. Every day, I want to improve. I want to be the best Alice I can be. I also want to help others and help them become the best they can. Self improvement involves reflection and challenging onesself to be better. With outside factors, friends, and family, they have all helped me become this woman I am today.
Next, I will state something I have said endless times since my first time being abroad, true friendship will show itself and last. True friends do show themself. When I was in London, I first came to this realization. This topic touches close to my heart because I care so much for my friends and have been through a number of ups and downs with them. They have stayed by my side during low times and have shown they support and care for me. I have seen who my true friends are while I am abroad in another country. A short fb message, a brief email update, an electronic smile, told you they looked at your pics, read your blog, etc,..... whichever. Every little thing matters when you are abroad. And when I say "I miss you and wish I was there", I mean it. The usual response is "But youre in SPAIN meeting a million new people and seeing a billion places." But, really, I miss you. Anyone who has experienced it will agree with me. I want all my friends to know that I love you and will always be here for you. No matter the distance. I will be home, soon enough.
A while back, I gave a post dedicated to my family. I wanted to briefly write again for this near-mid-reflection that my family means the world to me. We are all at different points in our life with our age differences, but we are still close. Each and every family member has contributed in their unique way that shows in my self today. They have challeneged me through life that is apparent now. I love each and every one of you and so blessed to be in the BSHAKS! I can produly say Forever.
As I write these reflections, another one came to mind. I have thought about this particular one through the fall semester, but never organized these thoughts. I am beyond grateful for the experience Olivet N. University gave me. If you know me, you know I had a bitter attitude towards ONU my first & second year there. It was then after study abroad that summer that I began to change my attitude towards it. Yes, there are some crazy rules there. But, they are all there to help us become mature and responsible adults. ONU has truly shaped a part of myself, the most important being my walk with God. I am blessed to graduate from a college with good morals and values. Of course, the amazing friends I got out of it is a huge factor in that as well.
I have many more months and loads of travel plans ahead of me with more growth and reflection.
I have many more months and loads of travel plans ahead of me with more growth and reflection.
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Very thoughtful, Pal. I'm so glad you get to have this experience and learn so much about yourself and life.
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