Awkwarddd.

"It's really funny because I do not know where I am going. Like never. This only Spanish thing is intense. Very, very confusing. I just act like I understand so (1). they don't think I'm completely retarded or (2). They keep talking to me and don't loose interest."

--Saturday, September 4th, 2010 (Day 1)

EURO TRIP

After Milan, that Monday I went to Graz, Austria to visit an AFSer who was in my town the 2008/2009 school year. But my trip to Graz is a story in itself, so I'll write about that later. Let's detour back to the title of my blog for this note.

Last night I actually brought myself together to read my journals. Originally, I thought it would be easy to go back and read through them, but one of the biggest surprises about coming home is that it is not easy. No Sir. It is not easy to read through the emotions, events, and life that I lived that year. For a few reasons. One, those who know me personally know that I kept my blog very positive, compared to the realistic experience I had. Yeah, secret is out. Bummer. I didn't have the greatest life that year. I struggled quite a bit, and there are a lot of things I couldn't put on here with AFS monitoring my blog. But they messed up, horribly. AFS Spain did an absolute horrible job with my host family placements. The volunteers there knowso very much and refuse to acknowledge that there was anything wrong with my host family placement. Once I left Madrid, thank the heavens I found some volunteers who were able to agree with me, and give me the piece of mind I was not indeed insane. In a nutshell, as I may have hinted before, my first host family was not informed properly of what AFS is. Instead, after an interest form, the President of AFS Spain came to the apartment, begging for them to take me in, saying "the student could even sleep here in your living room on this couch." I was one of the last two students placed out of 80 some, or atleast out of the 31 Americans. My host family, being the incredible giving people that they are, agreed to host an AFSer, even though it was not the best time for them financially. I'll leave it at that, but you can see in what direction things went from there.

I'd like to meet the volunteer who searched for my blog with the exact words "AFS Spain is terrible." (yes, it IS possible for me to see the engine search keywords that people use to find my blog.) I never ratted out AFS Spain during my time there and I don't plan on going into details. AFS is an amazing organization and I do not want to steer anyone away from AFS, or going on exchange.

Some of you may have already known, but I won't elaborate on it more than I feel the need to do in order to explain why I say what I do. I respect what happened that year moreso now after my Euro trip than I did a year ago. There is so much I took from that year that other kids didn't get, and for that, I am thankful.

Let me note one, final thought. AFS-USA and AFS-SPAIN are almost two entirely different organizations. My host family refused to call them that, but instead, businesses. They even have different regulations and standards, such as- AFS USA requires all American host families to have criminal background checks. AFS-Spain does not. It's based off of country regulations and fun. AFS-USA has been awesome, and I would like to give an extended thank you to everyone who helped me during the year- you guys were great, really, and you all know who you are.


Reading through my journals has been a bit easier after some time, I've come to accept different things and look back at the wonderful time I had during my year abroad. The most amazing thing for me, is how much I have grown since the start of my year there, nearly two years ago. A big part of why it is so easy for me to read back through the journals now compared to a year ago- is because my exchange year is something of the past. It is not something I "will be" or "am currently" doing, nor something I "just got back from." After a while the whole thing wears you out a bit, and it's nice to get some closure. I'll elaborate that later on in my stories about my EuroTrip.

Last night I read through most of what I wrote during my first week on exchange. I thought I would share some funny stories and quotes from what I found. Writing down everything is the best way I can "go back" to that life. It's really amazing how much you gain when you write things down.


Now for the fun. Those of you who can relate can laugh with me.

Monday, January 25th, 2010

"My trip to Spain starts with getting accepted. Today I got an email from AFS saying that I was accepted into AFS-USA, and it will be another 4-6 weeks before I know if AFS-Spain has accepted me. I am very excited to hear back from them- if Spain does not accept me I am not sure where I will pick next. I want to learn Spanish but do not want to leave Europe. Earlier this month I received a $600 merit and $200 host family scholarship. I hope to hear from AFS-Spain soon. PS: Semester 2 starts tomorrow and I start Spanish 3."

MAY 15th, 2010 1:47 AM

"So much to say in so little time. The only update on Spain is nothing. I still don't have a host family or location yet. I hope I find out before the end of June. I met a guy from Spain at Annika's surprise birthday party, but he didn't say much. (Besides the fact I'll be screwed if I get put in the Barcelona area because of the Catalan dialect, and I'll probably be put in a small town. I hope not. Today was my first golf clinic of the year, and I hope if I enjoy it I can do it in Spain."

Saturday, June 19th, 2010 4:29 PM

"Yesterday we got a confirmation from Dharma with AFS 'after extensive research' that an AFS representative can drop off and pick up the visa information at the Consulate of Spain in Chicago, and no FBI criminal background check is needed, the local one will be fine."

Monday, June 28th, 2010

"A few days ago I got the paper from AFS that tells me when I leave. According to the current report I can bring 44 pounds in a suitcase and a carry on that is 22 pounds. I leave Minnesota for New York and arrive there anytime between 12:00 and 4:00PM. The next day I leave NYC to Zurich, Switzerland and arrive there around 10:55AM. 1.5 hours later I then fly to Madrid and arrive there on September 3rd."

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

"So, I have set up a blog. Hopefully AFS will put it on their website like they said they would. Oh, and I've met a girl, Phoebe Ziegler, through Facebook who will be on my plane to Spain. (hah, that rhymes) if AFS gets my visa in time! **** It's the 13th already! Our appt. was for yesterday if we did it by ourselves...what the heck is AFS wasting their time on?! I CAN'T leave late!"

"September can NOT come soon enough. I swear."

"Oh, SPAIN WON THE WORLD CUP! Which is totally awesome, and I'm super excited."

"Oh, and a brief Spanish placement test put me at the bottom. Pffff. I've gotta long way to go."

"Still no word from AFS...no host fam. yet but not knowing is better than thinking you have a bad one I guess. Got word on a country conference call July 26th which should be good."

Monday, August 9th, 2010

"Holy buckets I haven't written in here for a while...but I have been keeping my blog updated so I guess that's O.K. I'll start from current and work backwards. I HAVE HOST SIBLINGS! FOUR! O.M.G. that is amazing! I am very excited for the news."

"I cannot express in words or emotions how excited I am to go to Spain. Oh yeah, did I mention? I'm in Madrid! YES!!!!! Population 3 Million and I'm in the middle of it! And according to some website online the average low winter temp. is 38*F! 38*! Incredible! There is no way in the world I can complain about that! :)"

"I am so excited to go! I wonder how these next few weeks will go by..."

"...everything is so much more real now that I have my host family."


Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 12:56AM

"WOW! And the day has come! Yesterday, the 10th I finally received my full host family from AFS. YAY! Complete relief...I have been waiting for this day FOREVER...!!!"

"Google map. Street view. Gotta love it. I hope they put me in the right grade (1st bachillerato or something like that)."

"And I have to remind myself that the grass always looks greener on the other side. So love every minute of Spain =) My hand can't go anymore...So best of luck to my unknown future, whatever it brings...ciao, ciao"

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

"I have to write quick but here it is. My last day. There was a point I thought it would never come. But I'm packed. And completely ready to start my new adventure."

[Marshall High School Visitor Pass pasted on page]



--------ARRIVAL TO SPAIN-------

Culture shock: the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, or to a move between social environments. -wikipedia


Saturday, Sept. 4th 2010

Day 1

"Wow. I am officially at my new home."

[about meeting host family and orientation]

"I was scared to meet them. Very scared. Thank God the kids weren't there. I met my liason today, here they call it a "tutor." Pablo is very nice and thank the Lord he speaks English. Thank the Lord. Us kids played like cards forever. And the cup game thing."

"Orientation was good to meet other kids but at a terrible location. We met our host families by walking through the door to the theatre."

"They drive crazy here. The van is huge and ugly no offense. I have no internet in my room, which sucks. The buildings here are ugly, and it is like the Sahara Desert. No grass. None. And there are olive trees everywhere outside town. Atleast I think they are olive trees. The apartment is small. Tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny. But I guess that is fine. I have no hangers so I suppose I just fold my clothes."

"I accidently fell asleep and woke up, being shocked when I realized I spoke English to the 3 oldest when I tried to give them their welcome gifts. I just forgot to speak Spanish. It's just really weird. And when I called home I almost said Spanish words. It's so weird because I'm starting to think in Spanish. Not completely but like a little bit. Uh, what else. The door thing, yeah I think I have to keep my door open unless I'm sleeping or changing. The light switched are weird. Like big buttons. I hope everyone stays patient with my Spanish- it's seriously not very good. First mistaken word was "regalo" for "regla"- "gift" for "ruler" and I thought that was funny. We walked like 3 miles to a McDonalds for wifi and I called home. I have a feeling here I won't be using my computer much. The bathrooms are strange. I have no clue what the tiny sink is that is really small. And the shower like at the camp is one that has a hose thing. My brain cannot think with so much going on. There are no screens on the windows (are left open) but I haven't really seen bugs besides 1 in the bathroom so that might be ok. It's like a desert here. It's so weird. The metro is clean though. And convenient. The toilet flushes weird. The blinds are wicked awesome. I don't know how I'll sleep tonight- there's a lot of honking outside. You can't see the stars here is what my host sister Maria told me. No one here speaks English."

"I need to get a clock. I don't know what time it is."

[let me note that I did not have a cell phone at that time, nor a computer charger, since I didn't have the right cord.]

"Oh yeah and the toilets? are weird. Barely any water in them. And eating a small dinner will be very interesting as I am not very hungry during lunch at 2 like today. It's pretty hot here. And the pillows are long and strange. Maybe that's just because it is a twin bed. We wear shoes in the house, yes. But I wouldn't want to take them off. The floor is wood and I think a bit dirty. School starts like the 17th-ish and we are going to Segovia sometime before then! Awesome! Elizabeth from the United States I believe lives there. I think it'll be good."

"Whoo. first time since last Sunday really That I can actually sleep. I think I will like it here after some adjustments and the bathroom thing."

"My journey has started and it is amazing. Too many thoughts to even think about. I hope my allergies aren't bad as well, as I sit here with the window open."

"So after all the Spanish tests and miles on a plane I am here. I am here and am starting to live a new life."

"Diego put subsitles on the TV which is super helpful. Like I can't understand TV without them. And the google here is ".es" strangeeeeee~~~. And hopefully they don't get too tired of talking slow. But I can't seem to tune them out because I understand enough to get the "jist," and they frequently ask me questions so I have to pay attention."

"Day One. Incredible. Time flys. Seriously."

September 5th, 2010

Day 2

"I am alarmed at the fact that I don't think we have a dishwasher. And that is is too expensive to run the dryer. Except in the winter...I think I won't be washing my clothes much, but again I don't know. They have really small glasses, and normal ones. And I don't know where they get the water- it's always in this cooler-like thing. And today there was lemonade for a change. The milk is terrible. The cereal was disgusting haha but whatever. The lights [switches] here (atleast in the apartment) are weird and are square shaped. I think it would be possible for someone to break in since we always have our windows open and live on the first floor.

***that last statement is ridiculous, because we were technically on floor 2 inside a locked fence that surrounded the building.***

Amaya and I went to have a "picnic" and so I asked if it was far and if sandals were a good idea. well, I got the impression that the park was literally right around the corner because the mom said it was very close. Well, we caught the metro and met someone named Ana, and yeah, well, she talks very fast. And we switched trains atleast like 4 times and once even missed our stop. It's amazing because we never had to wait really long for a train. And I think I'll buy a monthly pass for the metro because I have a feeling we use that a lot here."


"The elevator in the apartment is awkwardly tiny. The door handle is awkwardly in the middle of the door. And I awkwardly met some of Maria's friends when I was in my pajamas. And yeah, awkward might be the word of the day."

-mb

Nos Vamos

It's been awhile. I can explain.

The last time I wrote a blog post I was sitting at a table in Milan, in a bit of shock that I was finally back in the great EU. Since then a lot has happened, and I feel no need to justify why I haven't posted any updates.

I've been on the go, like you wouldn't believe.

Looks like I left off right before I saw much of Milan. I'll go back through again and post story by story of all by day trips, but for the moment here's a brief overview.

After the weekend in Aosta I spent the week in Milan, and left on the following Monday for Graz, Austria. Mario and I saw most of the touristy sights in a day or two.

The Friday before I left the Pope came to Milan, which was too cliche for my brain to handle. We went into il Duomo's piazza and upon stepping off the trolley we saw the signs promoting the Pope coming to Milan for "World Meeting of Families." There was a poster on il Duomo for atleast a week before, but we just kind of missed it somehow.

I thought that Milan was a typical place for the pope to visit- but it turns out it was the first time in 28 years that a pope had visited Milan. That came to me as a bit of a surprise, but I guess when all things are considered, it's pretty expensive with all the security and everything in between.

Here's a link to an article with more information: Pope Visits Milan

So that was really cool. Something to check off my bucket list in life. We got really close too, which required waiting on the rail for close to an hour in the dreadful heat, but it was definitely worth it.

Pope Benedetto passed us in his popemobile, surrounded what I would like to call the pope's "Secret Service."  They were everywhere, and frequently got in the way of my pictures...

Sigh. Atleast I got a few good ones.

Also, I was kind of surprised but it was really cool- there were a few babies that were passed in from the crowd and blessed by the pope.

Milan was packed with people cheering for the pope when he came around. They had a few big screens filming the pope's journey from the Linate Airport down the streets to il Duomo. I was pretty surprised how much everyone was cheering so much- Milan obviously wanted to prove they were happy for a pope to visit, which was cool to see.

Sunday I went to Lake Como, which is really close to Switzerland. Mario's brother's girlfriend Anna took me there for the day and it was really nice. Como is a beautiful city, and although it rained we still had a good time and were able to see everything we wanted to see.

Upon returning to Milan I met Sergio, who I hadn't seen since 2009. He was an exchange student in a town in our AFS Chapter in the states, so it was nice to see him again and walk around the city for a few hours. He doesn't live in Milan, so I was more or less of a tour guide haha

That evening Mario and I caught up with some of his friends for ice cream-- they had been studying for exams all day, which end on July 16th. The difference between the two different systems is unbelievable...complely different, and sometime I wonder about how our level of education compares to theirs...

So that is more or less of catch up from the first two weeks. I'll send more updates soon-- as of right now I'm back in the states in Boston visiting Caroline and I've gotta run...but there's much more to come.

Arrivederci amiciii
-mb

La Prima Settimana

Being back has been awesome.

Returning back to the great ol' EU has been fantastic. When I left Spain there were so many unanswered questions, doubts, and thoughts that I have been able to clear up since I've been here.

My first stop here is Milan, where I am visiting Mario, the student my family hosted 2009-2010. He's still in university here at Bocconi, so I haven't seen the entire city yet. But what I have seen, is really nice.

Mario and I infront of il Duomo

Yesterday, there was an earthquake. The current death count according to this BBC article is 16, with atleast seven people missing and 14,000 homeless. Here is a link to an article: BBC Earthquake in Italy

The first earthquake hit sometime in the morning. I was sitting next to another girl in a lecture class and we both thought the two guys behind us were shaking our bench (the seats are long benches, not individual desks). I just kind of ignored it at first, thinking they were trying to get our attention, but as it kept going I thought it was weird at 'how flexible the benches were.' The projector was shaking a bit, and when it finished the teacher asked- "earthquake?" It wasn't until everyone looked at each other to realize we all felt the same thing. The second earthquake struck when we were at lunch, but none of the people I went to lunch with felt it.

So that was yesterday. This past weekend I traveled about 2.5 hours in bus to a small town called Aosta to visit Nicholas. He was in our AFS chapter when I was in Spain- and I met him at the arrival orientation that was in August. He stayed with my family a few times while I was in Spain, and invited me to come up and see a different part of Italy for the weekend.

Aosta is a small town, about 40,000 I believe, or says my iPod. It's in the Swiss Alps, about 30 minutes from France and 45 from Switzerland. It's a pretty town, filled with Roman Ruins and the beautiful scenery of the mountains. It was definitely very different than Milan, but really interesting to see.

The town is very old, filled with ancient artifacts and surrounded by a whole line of castles. I was told that the castles were able to communicate by fire to send messages from one to another- that's how  close they were to each other.

Saturday I saw the town, and Sunday we headed out by car and went through the mountains. We also visited il castello di Fenis, which are included in the pictures below.

Some festival going on right next to the ruins-
everyone was dressed up in some type of traditional costume.

The main square in Aosta.

Beautiful, no? I was later informed that it is a common place
for the ederly to commit suicide. :(

Waiting for the tour at the castle of Fenis.

Nick and I.

Castello di Fenis

We drove down the side of the mountain for maybe an hour or so? And we went all the way down to the end of the road. Along the way we passed some type of animals- I don't know the name of them in English, but it was kind of cool to see them. The longer the horns are the older they are- it's like a tree. The rings represent one year. There were also people there who hiked up the mountain and skied down. The trails ranged from about 1-3 hours.

First national park in Italy- opened in 1922.

The animals seen throughout the mountains in the background.

We also passed by and took pictures of Monte Bianco (the highest point in Alps, Western Europe and the EU)- which we could see from a distance. You have to look closely in pictures even though it was bright and clear when we were there.

Monte Bianco



Another Castle


So that was this past weekend. I don't have many pictures from Milan soon, but I'll get some posted next week or so.

Italy is great. I haven't had that big of a communication problem since I can understand a great deal of Italian. I can understand a lot of what is said, how much depends on the topic. Things such as directions are about the same as Italian.

Being here in a country with a different language reminds me of my first few weeks of exchange. Although it's weird, because I understand more Italian in my first week here than I did Spanish my first week in Spain. I am amazed at how much Italian I've learned in only a week. It definitely comes a lot easier since I already know Spanish. There's an art to listening to a foreign language- the rythm, breaks, expressions, it's almost like you have to learn what is going to be said next. But it's been fun nonetheless. It's nice to be learning a culture for the first time again.

I'll touch breifly on the differences between Italy and Spain. Not much. I have found the people here to be less "on edge" and more welcoming. Everyone I've met has been over the top nice. People in stores aren't overpersonal like Americans, but aren't rude either. The stereotypical ice cream and pizza and pasta here is just like the say- the best of the world. Milan has a smaller metro than Madrid, but they have trams and trolleys above the ground. People here dress nicer- you see that the money is directed towards designer clothes, cars, etc. Things are a bit greener in Milan than Madrid (granted it's further north), but overall the two cities are pretty similar. I'll catch up on this later when I discover more.

For now, that's about all.

hasta pronto, amiciii
-mb

Adios, Estados Unidos

Hello! Hallo Hola and Ciaoo...it has been a few months since I've written my last post...and that is the first time I have actually been able to admit that. Since starting this blog I've written atleast once a month, and the past few months have been pretty eventful.

Skipping everything in the lost time, I am happy to say that I am back in Europe for the summer. Tuesday I arrived in Milan, where I will be visiting Mario and other friends in the area. The top of June I'll head in train to Graz to see Alina, and after a week or so I'll travel and bounce around from place to place in Germany. My schedule after that is not exactly planned yet since I have so many options on what I can do. It's amazing how knowing so many people internationally opens up so many opportunities to travel. Everyone I'll be seeing is part of AFS somehow or another. My journey will end about the middle of July.

I've debated on whether I should move this whole summer trip to a different blog, but I do not know how often I'll be able to write, so I think I'll just leave it here. I might rename it however, as Spain is no longer the base of everything from here on out.

In August I will be starting school at the University of Loyola New Orleans, studying International Business and Communications. I'm excited to be at a new location- even though I plan to study abroad the following year.

Back to the present...so far my time here in Milan has been amazing. I've met a lot of great people and things have been going really well. I flew to JFK from Minneapolis, had an all day layover in NYC, another layover in London, and finally flew into Milan.

This is the first time to return back to the EU since I left Spain last July. I wasn't even to London when I realized how excited I was to be back. I've worked hard to put everything together and I'm super excited to be here. I wouldn't be surprised if I moved to Europe in the future- it's great here.

It's hard to explain, but coming back is a great reminder of my "other life." People talk about how the "American" and "exchange" lives aren't the same, and that's true. Public transportation, crossing streets, food, money, it's all different, but great. Milan reminds me of Madrid a lot, all but a few minor changes such as the language or canals, but overall I feel back at my European "home."

I'll keep track of everyone I meet along the way. Before I left, an AFSer who was in my town 3 years ago came back to visit- so it was really cool to see him again. My rough estimate is that I'll see 15 friends in the next two months.

Traveling by train, I have a four country Eurorail pass for Italy, Austria, Germany, and Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg. It'll be a few long days of travel but I think it'll be worth it.

A dopo
-mb

the return...otra vez.

The following is a link to an article written by Jacob Spetzler, who spent his year in the Basque Country. In this he writes about his feelings upon returning to the states, followed by some afterthoughts months later.

He nailed it.


Saturday, November 12th, 2011

Photo Credited to Jacob

One of the best blog posts I´ve ever read in my life.

Enjoy,

-mb

You Know You´re an AFSer When...

(Confessions of an AFSer...host sibling, returnee, & volunteer)

Belgium-France-Finland-USA

1. You have more AFS events planned on your calendar than any other type of social activity.
2. You talk to someone from a different country atleast three times a day.
3. More than 40% of your friends on Facebook aren´t from your home country.
4. Your family has hosted on multiple occasions.

USA-Holland

5. (When talking to people from your home country) You forget that the person to whom you are talking to can understand what you are saying, and that there is no need to speak slowly or use simple vocabulary.
6. You know that having an address book would never work because half of your friend´s addresses wouldn´t even fit on the page. And ¨Bangkok¨ is really just the short version.
7. You know how to laugh in several languages online....5555555555555...jajajaja
8. Any given day you check the international news, you call your friend living there to see is the media is legit.

Madrid to Zürich

9. Knowing the current time in New Zealand is as easy as knowing the color shirt you are wearing.
10. You find it difficult to talk to people who have never traveled.
11. You are offended by questions such as, ¨What language do they speak in Iceland?¨ because you know very well, that your friend in Iceland speaks Icelandic.

12. You can say a few phrases in languages such as Turkish, Finnish, Icelandic, German, and Swedish... even if most of them are insults.
13. When meeting people from other countries, your first few words to them go something like...¨Hey! My name is so and so, where are you from in X country? I have a friend who lives in X city...¨
14. You speak a second language and hate how people give you weird looks when you do so on your cell phone.
15. You know what TOEFL is and have even helped people prepare for it.
16. You know how difficult it is for foreign students to get a visa to ¨just come back to the states for college¨.
17. You know where someone is from based on their accent, and if they don´t have an accent, they´re from Scandinavia.
18. You know the drinking age in virtually every country that exists.
19. You can explain, in depth, atleast five foreign school systems other than your own.
20. You cringe when people tell you they are going on vacation to some big tourist trap.
21. You travel to see your friends, not the Eiffel Tower.
22. In your spare time, you never read a book in your own language.
23. Upon returning to your home country, your day is made by laughing con Shrek y burro en español.

End of stay orientation- AFS SPAIN 2010-11

24. You know you have a home in different houses all over the world.
25. It´s harder to name a country where you don´t know someone, than where you do.
26. The most recent computer you used did not have an English keyboard.
27. You consider Skype your main telephone.
28. The person at the post office recognizes you and is no longer surprised that you´ll send mail to Seattle, Boston, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and Colombia on the same day.
29. About 45% of the music you listen to is in a different language or from a different country.

30. You know the ¨typical dance¨ of another country.
31. In a normal conversation you have to clarify which family you are talking about...home vs. host.
32. The ¨there are no kangaroos in Austria¨ joke is old school.
33. You know random things such as ¨Angry Birds¨ is a Finnish game, or that ¨Phillips¨ is a Dutch brand and consider it as common sense.
34. You speak to foreign students so often, you begin to speak like them, making the same grammatical mistakes.
35. You feel advanced in sociology class because the information you cover is the same in AFS Orientations.
36. Your closet contains a collection of clothing styles from all over the world.
37. You have a love-hate relationship for airports, as this place will lead you to or take you from you best friends.

Homebound- Barajas Airport, Madrid

38. Not being able to sing along to a foreign song doesn´t bother you.
39. You get excited when someone understands ¨Danza Kuduro¨.
40. You consider AFS to be your second nationality, especially when you're on exchange.
41. You have full conversations with yourself in your home country, in your host language.
42. Your Facebook statuses, as well as your friends´, are often written in two different languages.
43. You have friends who have never met each other, but go skiing at the same place year after year.

44. Your friend travels from the USA to Austria and meets someone who knows you...and you´ve never been to Austria.
45. A typical birthday gift from a friend is a CD with only Finnish music, or a Thai scarf.

46. Your real family cooks something from a foreign country on a daily basis.
47. You know that real cheese, bread, beer, or wine is not found in the USA.
48. You know the truth about drugs in Amsterdam, and how the Dutch government keeps them away from tourists.
49. You have to manually enter which language you are typing in when writing in Microsoft Word.
50. When traveling, the hardest decision for you to make is deciding who to visit first.
51. You speak to other Americans, in English, and they don´t understand anything you say. Because in reality, you speak AFS.

Midstay Orientation

'ta pronto
-mb

(no asunto)

When I get bored, I frequently have conversations with myself in Spanish. Full conversations, too. Like a story. Multiple characters, the whole shabang. I´ve even dreamed in Spanish after being back, seven months later. When reading subtitles on the TV at the YMCA, I´ve even pronounced English words like Spanish words in my head. Or have mistaken it for Spanish when it´s really English.

But it´s nice to know I´m not the only one.

Even Facebook has gone crazy.

-mb