remember how i was supposed to be in barcelona for 6 months but came home after 4?
the reason: while in barcelona i applied for a masters program, not really expecting to be accepted and not even knowing if i would go if i did get in.
well, i did get in. and decided that i needed to come home for the summer before beginning
another adventure like that.
well, i did get in. and decided that i needed to come home for the summer before beginning
another adventure like that.
i kept these plans on the down low, because i honestly wasn't sure if i would have the courage
to move abroad by myself all over again.
and the last two months at home surrounded by my family and trips to san francisco with my best friends haven't helped me want to pick up and leave again.
but how can i not take advantage of this kind of opportunity.
to live in spain. get my masters. continue learning spanish. travel around europe.
my emotions are bi-polar to say the least.
one minute excitedly researching everything i can about madrid(since i've never been there), neighborhoods, apartments(i found the cutest one ever, i want it so bad!) and other travel destinations.
and the next, holding onto my family, friends and california for dear life and mentally refusing to go.
my emotions are bi-polar to say the least.
one minute excitedly researching everything i can about madrid(since i've never been there), neighborhoods, apartments(i found the cutest one ever, i want it so bad!) and other travel destinations.
and the next, holding onto my family, friends and california for dear life and mentally refusing to go.
i'll be a lot more prepared this time.
some things will be easier.
i'll know what to pack and not a little better.
finding an apartment won't be quite as challenging and shocking.
i know more spanish.
i've already stepped far out of my comfort zone and certain i can do it again.
i'm excited to see europe and barcelona friends.
but i'm also a lot more aware of how hard it is,
which makes me much more nervous this time around.
feeling so far away and alone at times.
that feeling gives me a stomach ache to think about.
in one month and eight days i'll be boarding a plane to Madrid, Spain for a year
(coming home for christmas)
(coming home for christmas)
to start my Masters in Bilingual and Multicultural Education.
i'll be teaching in Arganda del Rey, a small town outside of Madrid.
i'd prefer to live in Madrid and commute, but we'll see.
not quite ready to start a countdown, but,
my next spanish adventure awaits.
my next spanish adventure awaits.
just me and the world.
75 comments:
Oh congratulations Nicole!!! I'm so excited for you and this new adventure. Sure there will be new 'tough times' but there are bound to be a lot of fabulous ones as well :-)
You are amazing! Selfishly, I'm glad you said YES to Madrid because I can't wait to live vicariously through your blog posts! Congratulations on getting accepted!!!!!
www.jaxandmarbles.blogspot.com
congrats! and quite happy you'll be joining us back on this side of the pond again :). way to go with keeping your european life going! it's never easy to make such a decision ;)
It's going to be amazing! Congratulations
How very exciting! Congrats- it will be the time of your life, i bet! :)
This news is so amazing! How cool and fresh to be starting a new chapter in your life, something you can say you feel more confident about..but it is still blissfully in the unknown! So excited to hear about it.
That's awesome Nicole! Way to go for something that is challenging and scary. I can't wait to meet up for a weekend and let our adventures combine powers : )
oh my goodness girl, you are totally a traveler and free spirit. I love it!!! so excited for you! At times I wish I was 'ballsie' enough to do things like that when I was in college. What an amazing adventure. Scary and nerve-wracking for sure, but so amazing and exciting and oh I cannot wait to hear all about your adventures. AND to actually have a teaching job waiting for you there...thats so awesome!!! Best of luck to you and keep us all updated along the way :)
Oh em geee Nicole you're amazing!! =) Go girl, you are going to have the time of your life!
So very amazing. You are doing the exact right thing by taking this time for yourself, doing exactly what your heart and mind desire, and experiencing the World! Can't wait to watch your adventures. :)
Omgosh! That is so exciting! Congratulations! I have one friend (soon to be two in August) who is teaching English in Madrid also. She loves it so much. I know exactly what you are feeling though. When I was getting ready to move to Paris for this year I was terrified. Its exciting, awesome and inspiring but at the same time terrifying, uncomfortable and uncertain. I hope you know that you can do it and you will love it even if it seems daunting now. You can always come visit Paris and we can talk about California things all day because I miss home too! Congrats again!
I know all about the bi-polar emotions! I have been in Germany for 4 months, and I will be home in less than two weeks (I was suppose to be here one year)- although, I did not leave because I was going to come back! Good for you to stick to it. But, you are not alone with your feelings- mine are all over the place right now too. There is no place like home :)
You made the right choice! Take every great opportunity that life offers you! You will gain work experience as well as life experience which I think it's more valuable. Enjoy!
congratulations guapa!!! all the best in this new adventure :)
Sounds exciting! Welcome soon to Europe. I'm living in Avignon, France and it's only 350km away from Barca. Never been there but would like to visit.
I think you are doing the right decision, 1 year is so short and you will see your family and friends after ;)
Wow that is so exciting! And so brave of you to go back for one whole year. The best part of all of this will be looking back and thinking to yourself, yes I did that.
Can't wait to see more of your adventures!
congratulations girl!!! how exciting! you'd better be sharing all of your adventures here on your blog, because I can't wait to hear about Madrid! [or Madrid-adjacent, whatever the case may be]
OH MY GOODNESS this is so exciting, nic!!! you little sneaky little devil, you...
so NOW that this has been laid on the table, we MUST get together before you leave.. (or maybe we DON'T so then i HAVE to buy a plane ticket to visit you on my first trip to Europe..??? )
this is so exciting! i'm so happy for you!!!
This is great. A Masters like that will have you wanted in so many countries. I'm jealous.. in a nice way! haha
YAY!! I am beyond excited for you and your new adventure, and a tad bit jealous I might have to add here. ;)
Madrid is on my list to see. A must in my eyes especially since Spain's my favorite country in Europe (besides Switzerland of course).
You'll have a marvelous time, I can already feel it.
xoxo
NICOLE! This is amazing news! Another fabulous adventure! Although it is hard to be away from family and friends (I can't say I know from experience), you need to look at it like this: "you may never have this opportunity again in your life." Plus, you can always come back home to Cali!! xo CONGRATS!!
How exciting!! Congrats!! One of my good girlfriends is living in Madrid right now teaching English and she loves it. I thought she would come home and she hasn't yet!
Congratulations! Good for you. I wanted to go abroad for my Master's and then ended up staying at home with family and now i regret it. Worst decision ever made. Cannot wait to read all about your time there!! Very exciting!
Congratulations! Another great opportunity, so excited for you. But totally get that it's scary to leave. Can't wait to follow along :)
WOW! How fantastic! I know this is super scary, but you're right- you're more prepared, and it's a fabulous opportunity. You're so blessed to have a family and friends who support your decisions and smiling faces to come home to! Best of luck!!
Congrats lady - I'm so excited for you!!!
oh man, this is such awesome news! congrats!!! this is the kind of experience that shapes who you are as an adult. so very excited for you!!
Wow girl that's amazing! I know it's scary to leave your family and friends for so long but you are going to have so much fun. What an incredible opportunity!
Congrats! This is so exciting! I lived in Madrid for a summer and it's my top favorite cities in all of Europe, you're going to have an amazing time. the people are so nice and the city is full of adventure. can i come withhhh?!
Congrats! I absolutely LOVED Madrid, maybe even more than Barcelona, when I visited! No beach, but it's a lot less touristy! You'll have to check out the Mercado de San Miguel - it's the coolest market lined with glass walls! It was always packed with people at standing tables getting tapas and drinks and just hanging out. Pretty sure my friends went at least 3 times in the few days we were there! :)
Congratulations!!! You won't regret it. I'm sure you will home homesick moments but the end result will be sooooo worth it. I'm excited to follow your journey or shall I say 'el viaje'? Buena Suerte!
Congrats! And well done for keeping it a secret for so long. You'll love Madrid, it is stunning and very metropolitan. And if you're there for a year you'll have more time to put down roots, and eventually that stomach ache will recede a bit :)
Pat yourself on the back, girl. Your life is on a roll! You're awesome :-)
After my backpacking trip a month ago through Europe, I have been absolutely struggling between being content here in America surrounded by family and friends and between constantly wishing and craving to be in Europe. I know the feeling, but I think it is SO amazing that you're following your heart to Spain again! Congrats! It takes guts. xoxo
You are going to learn even more about yourself and explore places so many dream of. I'll be in Italy my spring semester of this year so if you ever want to meet up! :)
seriously LETS TALK MADRID.
How exciting for you! Congrats! What an amazing adventure it will be!
Nikki this is sooo awesome! I hope you are proud of yourself!! This is sooo great!! Congrats!
Congratulations!! That is such a huge accomplishment, and I'm sure it will be an experience that you will look back on and not regret for a second!! Cheers to you, xoxoxo
oh man, congratulations!!
Nicole you are an absolute inspiration. You are just so brave. And totally and completely right to take advantage of such an amazing opportunity. I can't wait to follow you with yet another adventure :)
oh how beautifully exciting!! I'll happily live vicariously through you :)
Oh my goodness. I just found out last week that I'm being relocated from San Diego to Austin, TX for work. Have visited a few times, but other than that, I don't know much about the city. So, I 100% understand the bi-polar feeling of excitement one day and utter terror/clinging to all things familiar the next. I can only imagine how you must be feeling to be relocating to a completely different country, but honestly, you making this leap makes me feel a whole lot better about my own new adventure. Goodluck (not that you need it)!!!
im SO excited for you. this is such an incredible opportunity. cannot wait to read about it over the next year!!!
Congratulations! It's definitely can be a little scary to be starting a new chapter, but one filled with new places, friends + experiences! x
The Style Moodboard
How exciting!!! I'll still be here, let me know if you need anything or have any questions :)
What a great adventure :) Living in Europe (France) was one of the scariest and best things I ever did.
CONGRATS!!! So much! It seems scary but you will regret a missed opportunity like this if you don't pounce! A year will be over before you know it and home and California will be waiting. Can't wait to continue reading about your Spanish adventures.
ahh! that is so exciting! congrats!
You will be alright! And you will have an amazing time, I am sure! Madrid is great, you will love it!!
Oh wow! Very cool! Congrats! Sounds like such a fun and rewarding experience!
xx
Giovanna
www.oliveandanarrow.com
oh my gosh congrats!! that is seriously so exciting. you're right.... how could you miss out on an opportunity like this? you are seriously going to have the time of your life!! xo
So glad I just happened across your blog- it's so lovely. Can't wait to follow along!
Cheers, Elizabeth of The Corner Apartment
Ah that is such exciting news! What an incredible opportunity for you!
congrats! that's such an amazing opportunity and im sure you wont regret jumping at the chance!!! i look forward to the pictures!! i know they will be beautiful!
really, REALLY exciting (and I'm so jealous!)
I visited Madrid for a week when I was living in London and TOTALLY fell in love. Boating the park, shopping, nightlife, museums - there is so much to see and love!
you are the coolest little independent beauty queen traveler girl EVER! i am SO excited for you and another spanish adventure and all the photos and experiences you have ahead of you!! like, seriously. you are awesome. and a masters at the same time! i know it won't be easy, but the best things in life aren't usually the easiest and that is okay :) so you can do it! so so so excited for you.
WOW! you are so brave! good for you for taking this leap of faith and being a true adventurer. good luck on your next journey and enjoy this time at home!
My Honduran sister (meaning, my host sister when I was in Peace Corps in Honduras) lives in Madrid. She moved there to work and earn money for her family. If you ever want to meet her, let me know. She's super fun and sweet and could probably use a friend (since her whole family is in Honduras). She's been there about two years but still misses home. She pretty much made my time in Honduras amazing - it's so much easier when you have a best friend to hang out with. Although she's not Spanish, she speaks Spanish so you could really practice a lot with her. Let me know!
And you'll have an awesome time. Remember - don't let fear stand in the way of your dreams! You'll adjust and always miss home but you'll also have an unforgettable time! Kudos to you for following your dreams!
Oh my gosh, I got chills reading this. I am SOOO freaking excited for you, I can hardly put it in words. I've followed your blog forever, and this sounds like such an amazing adventure, experience, milestone in life...you name it! Way to go and seize this moment, this once in a lifetime opportunity. It takes courage to do something like this and it's very clear you have that. Best of luck on your endeavor, and I can't wait to read about the time you'll have. xoxo
ahhhhh!!!! CONGRATS!!! I am thrilled for you!
WOOHOO! Check you out! I am thrilled for you! While I've never been to Barcelona **hangs her head in shame** I have been to Madrid and it is fantastic! You are going to love it <3
Congratulations!
Muchas felicidades! Hopefully this time around we can meet up in Spain! Good luck with this new chapter :)
I have deleted all things internet while applying for teaching jobs, but I still read. Congrats - I am so proud. It will be a great experience. I want to do my masters in Modern Languages in French and I feel like you are living my dream a bit... I feel like I need experience first. It won't always be easy but it is only a year, you will have this experience behind you, and you are right, you will be more prepared. I am so excited for you!
oh wow what an adventure your about to embark on. I moved to Cyprus nearly two years ago with my boyfriend - while the circumstances where different because we decided to drop everything in London and move to Cyprus with nothing except some savings, moving abroad is scary. Leaving friends and family is daunting but you know the experience you will get will be totally worth it!!! Wishing you so much luck with your preparations. :)
I am over the moon thrilled for you. You won't regret it. I promise. What an awesome opportunity to embark on.
Wow! That's amazing. Congrats!
I'm sure you will have an amazing time. :)
Yay, another adventure! You know how much I vicariously enjoy all your adventures. Sure we all hesitate when it comes to trying out something new but, I admire the way you go for it.
Spain here we come! ;-)
Congratulations and good luck! definitely a great opportunity that only comes once and will teach you a lot.
wow, congratulations! this is such a great opportunity, and i'm so glad you decided to take it. it really can be hard being away from everyday, normal life surrounded by the familiar, but taking the plunge is the fun part! and well, skype is here for a purpose! can't wait to read along with all your adventures in madrid!
You are SO inspiring, Nicole. Going after your dreams, not just talking about them. I admire your amazing courage and sense of adventure!! I know you'll be fine and will have such an amazing experience!
Oh my gosh this is SO exciting!!! congrats to YOU!!
This is beyond exciting, and I am so happy for you!!!
This is so exciting! I can't wait to follow your adventures!
You will love Madrid! If you need anything at all, feel free to email!
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