Madrid: Enjoying the Passing of Time

Today marks one month for my arrival in
Madrid.  Let's be honest here:
That was fast.  
Was just looking back on some photos
and remembering what a pain in the
you-know it was to pack, get everything
ready, etc.  Had one week at home to sort
out things from end of the summer and fit
all necessary paraphernalia for the next 3
months into two suitcases and one carry-on.
As you can see in this photograph, my room
was an ABSOLUTE disaster.

Laur visited around 10 p.m. and then at
about 1:30 a.m. to say a final goodbye.
(Isn't she gorgeous??)
At that point, I don't think I was even
half-way packed.  By almost 4 a.m. I
managed to get most everything together
and crash for a couple of hours.  Not to
worry- 17 hours of air travel (and good
friend Ambien) were enough to rejuvenate
temporarily.  Still, however, suffered from the
usual dosage of jet lag.  Woke up after my
first night's sleep in Madrid at 3 p.m. the
next day.  Looked at my clock and didn't
even accept its time as a fact.  "Hmmmm
looks like I didn't set my clock correctly."
Wrong.  Looks like you took the longest
slumber of your life: a mere 16 hours.

The to-do list I assembled the day before my
departure.  Could you say I procrastinate?  Yes.
Did I manage to check everything on this list?
Yes.  Would that have been remotely possible
without my mother?  Not even.

Spain thus far has been an incredible experience.

My life here is extremely easy going.  I am enjoying
catching up on all of the little things I neglect
at home.  I am enjoying sightseeing, learning Spanish,
spending time with the Fernandez family, discovering
new parts of Madrid, traveling on weekends, and
most importantly learning to appreciate what
I have.  There is much to be thankful for.  

Loves from Madrid, Brooke Shoko